The city is looking for artists to transform ugly building scaffolding

Construction sheds are ever-present on NYC streets, a blight on neighborhoods from Brighton Beach in Brooklyn to Wakefield in the Bronx. True, they can save you from falling debris (usually), and briefly protect you from rain or snow. But nobody is happy to see one going up on their block, and no one is unhappy when one comes down.

Photograph: Courtesy NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

In other words, construction sheds are a nuisance—blocking the sun, making it harder to navigate already crowded sidewalks, and, at night, sheltering muggers and the homeless. They’re also an eyesore.

City fathers are well aware that there isn’t much they can do about most of the downsides to construction sheds, but apparently, they do think they can make them more visually appealing. That’s the logic, anyway, behind City Canvas, a new initiative by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. The program will solicit artworks to cover the more than 300 miles of construction fences and sidewalk sheds across the five boroughs. The aim is to “improve the pedestrian experience for NYC residents and visitors,” while “increas[ing] opportunities for cultural organizations and artists to present artworks.”

Photograph: Courtesy NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

Hopefully some cool projects will be the result. In the meantime, if you’re an artist looking for public exposure, you can go to this link to find out more and download an application.