Deadline: Midnight Sunday March 6, 2016
The City of Tucson is currently accepting proposals from artists interested in creating murals in downtown Tucson. The Tucson Mural Program is providing funding for murals that reflect diversity in style and culture. The program will encourage artists from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply and offer their ideas and designs for these murals. This program is aimed at enriching the greater downtown Tucson experience for residents and visitors alike.
Program Goals
The goals of this program are to:
- Beautify public areas in downtown which attract heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Use art as a landmark to connect residents and visitors to public and private areas downtown;
- Prevent tagging and vandalism;
- Select dedicated and qualified artists that can demonstrate artistic excellence while completing this program on time and within budget.
- Up to ten murals by ten individual artist or team of collaborative artists will be selected.
- Mural sizes are listed in Appendix A. Artists do not choose sites.
- The selection committee is open to all unifying themes. (political or religious themes are not allowed.)
- The artist is responsible for surface preparation which may include power washing the surface, removing chipping paint, priming the wall etc.
- The mural will serve as a visual landmark and should be distinctive through use of design, color, etc. Only original art will be considered.
- The design will be suitable and acceptable for public viewing of all ages.
- Design must be scalable.
- Only Arizona artists will be considered.
- The program budget includes the artist(s) fee, wall preparation, paints, sundries and top coat. Most projects will not exceed $8,000.
- The program budget does not cover travel, lodging or meal costs. Artists are encouraged to tap into existing professional and personal networks to keep costs reasonable.
- Artists may bring their own brushes, rollers and other special equipment required to produce the mural.
- Surface preparation may include power washing the surface, removing chipping paint, priming the wall, etc.
- The medium to be used must be durable and able to withstand minor wear and tear and harsh outdoor elements for at least five years.
- Program will procure Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic exterior thinners, paints and clear topcoats as manufactured by Nova Color or approved equivalent. All pigments shall have a lightfastness rating of I as per ASTM D5098. Application methods shall be as per manufacturer’s installation directions to ensure the maximum possible lifespan of the mural.
- Murals must be completed by June 3, 2016
- Artists can submit for more than one mural, but each mural must have its own proposal.
Artists interested in creating a work of art through this funding opportunity must submit the following by midnight March 6, 2016 to be considered.
- A one-page narrative concept for the mural, including supplemental information such as medium and approximate dimensions of the proposed mural. The narrative should convey the artistic content, colors, style of work, etc. Also include: (a) Wall preparation plan (b) Mural protection/ maintenance plan
- Timetable (murals must be completed by June 3, 2016)
- 11 X17 drawing illustration of the proposed mural. Please include mural concepts in PDF or JPEG formats
- Itemized budget outlining all costs associated with mural production (artist(s) fee, wall preparation, paints, sundries and top coat)
- 1-2 page Resume, contact information
- Artist statement (no longer than one page)
- Five – eight (5-8) examples of past murals Submit as PDF or JPEG
- One page Image list including size, materials, costs and location of works.
- All proposal components must be submitted in a digital format. Submit as PDF, JPEG or Word Docs.
- Ability to install mural in a timely manner
- Quality of previous work.
- Quality of Proposal
- Additional Selection Considerations
- Proposal does not present any public safety hazards.
- Proposed artwork is aesthetically pleasing and appropriate for the public realm.
- Artist’s past work demonstrates proficiency in the proposed medium.
- Artist has exhibited in the public or private realm and participated in team and/or community-based art programs.
- Artwork is suitable for the site based on size, scale, and form.
- Proposal considers the variety of audiences at the site.
- Proposal considers the social, historical, architectural, geographical and/or cultural context of the site.
- Artwork will be made of durable materials to withstand outdoor weather conditions.
- Artwork is carefully planned ensuring sound fabrication and installation.
Artists Informational Meeting
Tuesday Feb. 16, 6-7pm
Lower Level Meeting Room
Pima County Public Library
101 N Stone Ave.
Project Timeline
Feb 3, 2016 Artist Call Issued
Feb 16, 2016 Artist Informational Meeting
MARCH 6, 2016 Applications Due for Artists Proposal and Concept Designs
March 7, 2016 Artists Pool Selected (Panel Meets Session 1)
March 21 Artists Finalists: Site Specific Mural Design Due
March 28 Artist Finalists Selected (Panel Meets Session 2)
April 25 Mural Painting Starts
June 3 All Murals Complete
Appendix A
Mural Sizes Approximate (in feet)
Sizes are Width x Length
- 18 X 50
- 36 X 29
- 50 X 30
- 47 X 12
- 35 X 28
- 70 X 28
- 36 X 20
- 4 parts: East 35 X 7, S/E 10 X 7, South 22 X 7, West 16 X 7
- 24 X 15
- 50 X 50
Project Manager Michael Schwartz: 520-791-9359 or email COTMuralProgram@gmail.com
