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If you've always had a great and unique idea for a tour of New York City, now's the time to actually bring it to life: a new program is granting five local entrepreneurs up to $12,500 each to design a walking excursion of Lower Manhattan that appeals "to all five senses and [gives] participants a tangible sense of personal connection."
"The typical highlights of Lower Manhattan are well documented," reads an official note from the Alliance for Downtown New York's Walking Tour Incubator Program. "Many of the existing walking tours focus on the major points of interest and/or the role of the financial industry in the neighborhood's evolution. This program encourages fresh perspectives that are both original and compelling. BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply."
A few other important details to mention: the plan you propose should be sustainable in the city for at least one year (so make sure that the sites you're planning on visiting, for example, will remain open all throughout that time frame) and encompass areas south of Chambers Street, including Battery Park City, the Seaport and Governors Island.
You also need to be based close enough to New York City to actually run and scale a localized tour seven days a week and aim to launch a wider-scale operation in the near future. The Alliance isn't just looking for a one-man show but truly believes in an expanded effort showcasing all the beauty that downtown New York has to offer.
There's a catch, though: applications are due by tonight right here and winners will be announced by the end of the week, which is why we won't waste more of your time. Go ahead and get working!