The Underline, Miami’s 10-mile public art destination, urban trail, and linear park, is pleased to announce our first public call to artists. This kicks off a significant new phase of public art and programming made possible by a generous $100,000 grant from the Hearst Foundations.

The Hearst Foundations grant will enhance Phase 2’s Hammock Playground (located below Metrorail at SW 1st Ave & SW 15th Rd.), bringing together community engagement, artistic innovation, and local talent. This important gift funds the commissioning of Miami artists to create two murals themed around art and play, integrated into the site-specific Hammock Playground. This playground, adjacent to Simpson Park—a lush tropical hardwood hammock—will be transformed into an immersive, art-infused space. Collaborating with local arts incubators, Friends of The Underline will curate participatory programming designed for families, making art an integral part of their play and exploration. 

The Underline’s commitment to art accessibility, community engagement, and fostering local talent is demonstrated in the first six art installations found in The Underline Brickell Backyard, setting the stage for an exciting and vibrant artistic journey. 

“We’re proud to partner with The Underline to engage greater Miami artists in a dialogue in the Power of Art and Play in this growing linear art trail. We can’t wait to see the experiences this future art inspires,” Hearst Foundations VP Eastern Director, Donna Kalajian Lagani. 

“Friends of The Underline is honored to receive this generous gift supporting our commitment to the power of art in Miami. Our partnership with Hearst Foundations will elevate local artists in an area where our community gathers and plays,” Meg Daly, CEO of Friends of The Underline. 

Proposal submissions are due  Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 11:59 P.M. Submission details can be found here. 

ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE UNDERLINE 

The Underline is transforming the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and public art destination from the Miami River to Dadeland South. www.theunderline.org 

ABOUT HEARST FOUNDATIONS 

The Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of culture, education, health, and social services. In addition, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation operates two programs, the United States Senate Youth Program, and the Journalism Awards Program.

The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. www.hearstfdn.org

ABOUT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS ART IN PUBLIC PLACES 

Art in Public Places is a program of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs responsible for the commission and purchase of artworks by contemporary artists in all media. One of the first public art programs in the country, Miami-Dade Art in Public Places was established in 1973 with the passage of an ordinance allocating 1.5% of construction cost of new county buildings for the purchase or commission of artworks, educational programs, and collection maintenance. The Art Trust Fund is administered by a County Commission-appointed citizens’ board, the Art in Public Places Trust, in consultation with its Professional Advisory Committee. For more information about the Art in Public Places Program and the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, please visit www.miamidadepublicart.org and www.miamidadearts.org