Brooklyn Connects: A Public Art Partnership between BNYDC and Pratt Institute

By Sarah Sloan Malik and Jean Shin

"Brooklyn Connects is a temporary public art initiative developed through a partnership between the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) and Pratt Institute’s Fine Arts Department at Dock 72. Reflecting the Navy Yard’s role as a place for collaboration and innovation, the project was realized through a request for proposals (RFP) open exclusively to MA and MFA students enrolled in Pratt’s Project in the Public Realm course. Students were invited to develop site responsive proposals for a public artwork located at Building 92. Through the theme of Brooklyn Connects, participants explored the systems, networks, and relationships that shape Brooklyn’s social, cultural, and economic life.

Led by BNYDC, the project is part of a coordinated series of public art installations extending more than a third of a mile along Flushing Avenue. This year’s program marks an expansion of BNYDC’s public art initiatives, featuring three installations that support artists at critical junctures in their careers, from high school and graduate level students to professional working artists. The commissioned installations will be on view from June through early November 2026.

The collaboration reflects BNYDC’s commitment to creating meaningful, hands-on opportunities for emerging artists. To bring this vision to life, BNYDC partnered closely with Pratt professor Jean Shin, whose leadership was central to the project’s success. Through her course, Jean integrated the RFP into the curriculum and guided students through each stage of the process, providing mentorship, critical feedback, and professional insight.

BNYDC further supported students through an information session, site visit, office hours, and the provision of an installation budget and professional art handler and installer. The collaboration resulted in six thoughtfully researched proposals, all of which will be presented at Pratt’s Research Yard Open House, with one selected for commission opening in June. "