NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nashville Arts Commission is looking to local artists to help design some unique bicycle racks that will be placed throughout the city.

They are looking for designs inspired by Nashville's history, culture or natural features.

Artists who live within 200 miles of Music City can submit up to three designs each. Five designs will be chosen and artists will receive $2,500 to construct it.

Working together, Metro Arts and Metro Public Works identified five locations around downtown for the art, including Church Street and Capitol Blvd across from the Nashville Public Library, Farmers' Market East and West entrances, the Northeast corner of Demonbreun Street and 16th Avenue South, the Fulton Complex (formerly Howard School) on 2nd Avenue South, and Commerce Street between 4th and 5th Avenues.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, who created the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee last year, said the bicycle rack project has multiple benefits for the city.

"This effort does two great things at once - beautifies our city with the addition of public art and encourages more people to use bicycles for transportation," Dean said in a press release. "We're building upon the success of our bike lanes and greenways that already exist, and using artist designs to add character and cultural significance to locations throughout downtown and our neighborhoods."

Although the project marks Nashville's first such bicycle rack art endeavor, other cities such as Austin, Texas, Portland, Oregon, and New York City have commissioned bicycle rack public artwork that adds personality to their communities.

Learn more about the project by visiting the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission Web site.