Downtown Tulsa Partnership seeking artists for W. 5th Street alleyway project

A downtown Tulsa alleyway is set to get a big makeover - and local artists could be the ones to make it happen.

An Overlooked Space

The alleyway on West 5th Street, between the Mayo Hotel and the 111 Lofts, is a space that people usually walk right past. Steven Bruce lives at the 111 Lofts and says it’s also the kind of place you normally wouldn’t want to linger.

“It is very intimidating at night, I think livening it up would be a lot better,” he said.

A New Project

A new project is set to do just that, and local artists have the chance to help. The Downtown Tulsa Partnership is calling on them for a new project as part of its Alleyway Activation Program.

“It’s kind of this underutilized infrastructure we have, so we’re hoping to encourage more use of that space, and also make it more exciting and more vibrant,” said Emily Scott with the DTP.

Professional artists or artist teams with experience in large-scale public art, but anyone can apply. The artwork must feature permanent lighting and be built to last up to ten years.

Project Goals

The program aims to enhance downtown Tulsa through lighting to increase safety and comfort in alleyways and celebrate Tulsa's culture.

“This is an opportunity to bring a different type of art, an illuminated art, but it's also one that can help with some concerns of safety at nighttime when folks are walking through this alleyway. We’ve got a lot of new neighbors on this stretch of alleyway, so this is a lot of folks' backyard, so it's a great time to transform it into a better lit, more inviting and culturally exciting place to with some local public art,” said Scott. 

Downtown Tulsa Partnership will pick the top 3 applicants who will submit proposals for the piece. After that, the community project committee will select the best one and then the project will start shortly after.

To apply, artists can submit their resume and portfolio by August 18th. Artists will be selected in October, and a public unveiling will be in Spring of next year. For more information, click here.