Artists looking for a great place to live now have an opportunity to win free rent for 12 months in New Rochelle’s vibrant downtown.

The City of New Rochelle, in partnership with RXR Realty, today launched a new contest that will award one lucky winner one year free rent in a studio apartment at RXR’s 360 Huguenot, a 28-story, 280-unit mixed-use building nearing completion of construction.

Located minutes from the Metro-North station in the heart of downtown New Rochelle, the building will include a 10,000-square-foot black box theater for film, theater, dance, music and art programs.

To apply, interested artists must submit a 30-second-or-less video detailing why New Rochelle is the ideal creative place to live. The deadline to apply is May 17, and the winner will be announced in July.

“Our artist community is a critical component of the downtown transformation,” said New Rochelle’s Commissioner of Development Luiz Aragon. “The contest is a fun way to foster that community and the creative energy that powers the city.”

“With its black box theater, 360 Huguenot is already set to become a new cultural hub for New Rochelle when it opens. We are excited that among its cultural assets will also be an artist-in-residence, who will ensure not just that 360 Huguenot is a place where great art is presented, but that it is also a place where great art is created,” said Seth Pinsky, Executive Vice President at RXR.

In addition to the contest, The City of New Rochelle continues to cultivate the artist community through a robust public arts program. Earlier this year, the City announced the completion of the Overpass Illuminated Art Project, “Radiant Passage,” a multidimensional art installation located at the overpass of North Ave. & Memorial Highway.

Oshi Rabin, the leading artist of the Public & Urban Art team at New Rochelle’s Mahlstedt Gallery, designed the overpass’s LED interactive mural and led the project’s installation in collaboration with muralist Misha Tyutyunik.

In September, the City celebrated the addition of 15 custom NRNY sculptures designed as part of the “Stacked!” series, which began in July with the unveiling of two pieces by Charles and Heather Fazzino.