Three nationally recognized artist teams have been chosen as finalists to submit designs for public art in downtown Beverly as part of the National Endowment for the Arts, (NEA) Arts and Cultural District Public Art Competition, hosted by the City of Beverly, Montserrat College of Art and Beverly Main Streets.

Harries/Heder Collaborative in Cambridge, MA, Anna Schuleit of Brooklyn, and Donald Lipski of Amagansett, NY were selected from a field of 75 applicants in February to submit design proposals for this project. The jury consisted of national and regional artists, gallerists and those knowledgeable in the field of public art.

The finalists attended site visits in Beverly in early March to tour the downtown, learn about the work being done to plan for an arts and cultural district, and view possible sites for sculptural installations. One artist out of the three finalists will be chosen by summer.

Last year, the NEA announced 80 Our Town grant awards totaling $4.995 million and reaching 44 states and the District of Columbia. Montserrat College of Art was one of the grantees as part of a collaborative partnership along with the City of Beverly and Beverly Main Streets. The group received $75,000 of a $150,000 matching grant to create a strategy and implementation plan for an Arts and Cultural district in downtown Beverly.

As part of the grant process, a public hearing seeking input from local citizens was held earlier this year. Funding from the grant pays for planning, not for sculptural installations; but rather for the selection process. Further funding will be required to complete any public art projects.

Montserrat College of Art President Steve Immerman said, “Beverly is fortunate to have three artist-teams, of the caliber of our three finalists, apply for and be chosen to compete in this national art competition. I am certain that any of these artists will be able to bring an iconic work of public art to the City of Beverly to further help transform our downtown, bring life and vibrance to the new arts and culture district, and delight residents and visitors alike. I look forward to seeing final designs as this project moves forward.”

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