City of Tucson Mural Program Announce winning designs for Downtown Murals Open House Tues. April 26

Tucson, AZ: The community at large is invited to see the winning designs for the Downtown Mural initiative during a Mural Design Open House, Tuesday April 26, 6-7pm at the Pima County Public Main Library 101 N Stone Ave. in the Lower Level Meeting Room. This is an all ages free event.

Following an exhaustive selection process the City of Tucson Mural Arts Program announces the winning artists for the Downtown Mural initiative. The selection committee included Julie Sasse Chief Curator Tucson Museum of Art, Ceci Garcia and Susan Silverman from the Tucson Pima Arts Council Public Art Committee,  Mary Lou Thompson of Tierra Antigua Realty and Brandi Haga-Blackman of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.

Eight mural teams have been selected to create murals throughout the downtown Tucson starting May 2. Painting will continue through June 6.

Issac Caruso, at 9 North Scott Ave

Niki Glen, at the West corner of 5th Ave and Toole

Rachel Slick, Tim Schirack, and Alexandra Gjurasic, at Café 54, 54 East Pennington

 Ignacio Garcia at the Rialto Theater, 318 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701

Rocky Martinez, at Benjamin Supply, 440 North 7th Ave 

 Luis Mena, at Century Link, 142 E Pennington

Jessica Gonzales, at Wig-O-Rama, 98 East Congress

To-Ree-Nee Wolf Keiser, at Old Scrappy’s, 213 East Broadway 85701
http://www.toreenee.com/

Volunteer, underwriting and sponsorship opportunities are available for this an future projects. Contact the Tucson Arts Brigade online at www.TucsonArtsBrigade.org or by calling 520-791-9359.

This project is a program of the City Of Tucson Mural Program, which is managed by the Tucson Arts Brigade with funding from the Tohono O’odham Nation, Friends of Tucson Arts Brigade and Visit Tucson. Additional support is being provided by the Downtown Tucson Partnership, 2nd Saturdays Downtown, Park Tucson and Graffiti Protective Coatings, Inc. (GPC).

Spring 2016 Mural Arts Program Internship

Spring 2016 Mural Arts Program Internship: 10-15 hours a week






We are really excited about the up coming series of murals being created downtown, and now you can be part of the fun. Projects will start in the last week of April, starting with a pep rally and then off to start beautifying our city!

The Mural Arts Program Internship Position reports to the Executive Director and supports the executive leadership team in daily operations.

Mural Arts Program Assistant Responsibilities include:

• Assisting Muralists as needed;
• Preparing, priming walls, top coats.
• Coordinate transportation and field trips;
• Assist in material inventory and distribution;
• Assist on documentation;
• Assist Coordinating community paint days and projects;
• Assist in identifying and securing healthy snacks;
• Update calendar listings to local media, follow up calls;
• Studio work: painting, cleaning, light lifting, preparing surfaces;
• Painting and preparing walls.
• Assist on Community Cultural Development initiatives, colloquia and meetings.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience or interest in working within the field of community cultural development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, a pleasant telephone manner and courteous and professional work style.
• Capacity to execute tasks with accuracy, consistency and attention to detail.
• Outstanding organizational/planning skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to function professionally in an open studio environment.
• A sense of humor and describe oneself as flexible and reliable.
• Finger print clearance required for some tasks. (working with youth).

How to Apply: Submit information to: info@TucsonArtsBrigade.org
Please include contact information, schedule, CV or resume, and a cover letter that answers:
1. What interests you in this opportunity?
2. Briefly describe your most relevant experiences and skills for this position.
3. What should we know about you and/or your background that might not be evident in your CV/resume?

Live Arts: Time Lapse Video of TAB Cinelli Mural

This past Saturday three members of the Arts Brigade created a live art-performance Mural at Fit Works Cycling on Toole Avenue. The mural featured the Cinelli Bicycle Logo and color scheme. There was also an auction to benefit TAB.

 Now the final 8' x 8' painting is being auctioned off!

To bid on this beautiful work of art please contact:
Kurt Rosenquist at kurt@fitworkscycling.com

Bidding will be open for several weeks.

Check out this cool time lapse video on YouTube of the mural being created here:

Invest in our Arts Education and Mural Arts Programs here: Donate Today :)

Thank you for your ongoing support of TAB and our Community Arts and Education Programs.

Arts Brigade Proposal Creates Jobs While Reducing City Deficit

The Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB) and Tucson Mural Arts Program is delighted to announce that a seven year campaign to hire Artists to paint murals on Traffic Control Boxes was approved Tuesday night by Tucson City Council.

TAB designed this program so that anyone can now hire artists to paint these murals, creating more jobs and reducing our City deficit. We made the case over the past 7 years by showing that murals require less resources to maintain than blank surfaces.

You can learn more by following this link which outlines instructions for applying to this opportunity.

This is phase three of a five phase initiative designed to Hire Artists to Work in Schools, Neighborhoods and Community Centers using common sense economics.

Phase 1: City of Tucson Environmental Services Trash Container Murals
Phase 2: City Wide Mural Program
Phase 3: Traffic Control Box/Utility Box Demonstration Project
Phase 4-5: Establish a City Wide After School Arts Education Program

Thank you especially to the Ward 6 staff and Council Member Kozachik for making this dream a reality. Thank you also to Ward 1 and our dear friends at Tucson Pima Arts Council for their support on this proposal.

Let's get to work!

Artist Request for Proposals: Downtown Tucson Murals

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:

1. Beautify public areas in downtown which attract heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
2. Use art as a landmark to connect residents and visitors to public and private areas downtown;
3. Prevent tagging and vandalism;
4. Select dedicated and qualified artists that can demonstrate artistic excellence while completing this program on time and within budget.

About the Program

• 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.

Proposals – Submit to COTMuralProgram@gmail.com
Artists interested in creating a work of art through this funding opportunity must submit the following by midnight March 6, 2016 to be considered.

1. 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
2. Timetable (murals must be completed by June 3, 2016)
3. 11 X17 drawing illustration of the proposed mural. Please include mural concepts in PDF or JPEG formats
4. Itemized budget outlining all costs associated with mural production (artist(s) fee, wall preparation, paints, sundries and top coat)
5. 1-2 page Resume, contact information
6. Artist statement (no longer than one page)
7. Five – eight (5-8) examples of past murals Submit as PDF or JPEG
8. One page Image list including size, materials, costs and location of works.
9. All proposal components must be submitted in a digital format. Submit as PDF, JPEG or Word Docs.

Selection Criteria

• Ability to install mural in a timely manner
• Quality of previous work.
• Quality of Proposal
• Additional Selection Considerations

Public Safety

• Proposal does not present any public safety hazards.  

Artistic Merit

• 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.

Site Suitability

• 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 Durability

• 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

1. 18 X 50
2. 36 X 29
3. 50 X 30
4. 47 X 12
5. 35 X 28
6. 70 X 28
7. 36 X 20
8. 4 parts: East 35 X 7, S/E 10 X 7, South 22 X 7, West 16 X 7
9. 24 X 15
10. 50 X 50

For more information:
Project Manager Michael Schwartz: 520-791-9359 or email COTMuralProgram@gmail.com

MURAL/TRASH CONTAINER ART TO BE UNVEILED

MURAL/TRASH CONTAINER ART TO BE UNVEILED

 On Friday, February 5, 2016, the City of Tucson Environmental Services Department will unveil and begin delivery of five metal trash containers that have been painted with murals as part of an effort to reduce graffiti.  Environmental Services contracted with the Tucson Arts Brigade to coordinate the project. Additional funding was provided by the Graffiti Resource Council in Washington, DC.


Five Tucson artists have designed and painted the trash containers which will be provided to businesses that have a high potential for graffiti and tagging. The City, working with the Tucson Arts Brigade hopes the program will also improve urban aesthetics and ultimately save taxpayers money on graffiti abatement.

Porter McDonald

Ruben Moreno

Johanna Hand

Niki Glen

Sasha Lewis

Five artists were selected from 44 applicants who ranged from established painters to first-time muralists. The artists are Johanna Hand, Sasha Lewis, Niki Glen, Porter McDonald and Ruben Moreno. The city provided $5,000 in funding for the pilot program, which was matched by the Graffiti Resource Council, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit vandalism prevention organization.
Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik said, “City leaders have been working on this program for quite some time. Even though such initiatives may not end the exorbitant cost of graffiti abatement, they can potentially help save money as well as beautify the city.”

The unveiling of the trash containers will be held in the parking lot, behind the Chicago Store in downtown Tucson on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. All five of the trash containers will be on display before being delivered to the business customers participating in the program.

January 18 MLK Day Story Circle

Jan 18 MLK Day: USDAC Story Circles
When: Monday January 18, 5 - 7pm
Who: All Ages, Free and Open to the Public
Where: Citizens Artist Collective, 44 W 6th St, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Studio #13 (enter from 9th Ave, near railroad tracks)

We are combining our annual MLK Day celebrations with the USDAC Peoples State of the Union. We the people, tell our stories of social justice, creativity and metamorphosis. Share a song, dance, poem, story or work of art, or just listen.