Call for Muralists – Paid Opportunity

Athena Project and Women’s Bean Project seek three women* muralists to design and create three murals for the exterior garages of the Women’s Bean Project campus.  This is a paid commission opportunity and paid design opportunity for six finalists!

CALL FOR MURALISTS
Athena Project and Women’s Bean Project seek three women* muralists to design and create three murals for the exterior garages of the Women’s Bean Project campus. These garages are located at 1300 West Alameda Avenue in Denver.  Women’s Bean Project recently moved to this 20,000 square foot facility in the Athmar Park neighborhood. Its mission is to change women’s lives by providing stepping stones to self-sufficiency through social enterprise.  Athena Project is collaborating with Women’s Bean Project to produce this work of art to elevate the mission of Women’s Bean Project and to further its own mission to empower women in the arts. For more info about Athena Project please visit our website AthenaProjectArts.org.

MURAL REQUIREMENTS
The mural artist will be responsible for the costs of the materials (including paints, ladders, brushes, etc.) for fabrication and installation of the artwork within the stipend award. Artist will also be asked to paint a protective sealant on the top of the mural; however, sealant will be provided by Athena Project for artists to use. Women’s Bean Project will be responsible for maintaining the mural, which is expected to have a lifespan of approximately 5-10 years.

Your mural design should reflect the mission of Women’s Bean Project. We are looking for designs that highlight the service mission of Women’s Bean Project to “do well by doing good”.  Women’s Bean Project is a community asset.  Please restrict your work to themes which are appropriate for a large range of audiences.

Specific Additional Notes from Women’s Bean Project to include in proposals/designs:
Themes to include in your proposal are:

• Community/love & support
• Empowerment/strength/confidence
• Transformation

They all weigh evenly in importance.

• We ask that all artists work within a color scheme/palette provided by us. They are the colors in and around Women’s Bean Project building.  All are Sherwin Williams paint colors.
  • Iron Ore SW7069 (this is the color on the garage panels now)
  • Earthen Jug SW7703
  • Auric SW6692
  • Artichoke SW6179
• No faces (we want to be inclusive, too much opportunity for exclusiveness)
• Please do not include or feature insects (we are a food facility) but other animals are ok
• No political or provocative mural themes

MURAL LOCATION AND DIMENSIONS
The dimensions of each garage door are: 12’ wide by 9’8” high.  This is without the extra concrete panels located on either side of the garage.  Your image must fit within this size and will not include any design on the panels.

The art selection committee will work with mural finalists on their proposals to ensure that site constraints are taken into account and mural impact is maximized.

SUBMISSION PROCESS
You will submit the following for review via CaFe:

https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=10947

1. Project proposal of no more than 750 words highlighting what you wish to create for this project.  Feel free to include any sketches or design ideas to help convey what you are thinking should you be selected to create a full design for this project.
2. Your portfolio of work, including a minimum of 5 images of previously completed projects.
3. Your resume or cover letter should include a list of all murals previously completed (please include locations, past experience with mural projects, art installations, public art and/or other relevant projects/information.)
4. Links to your social media and website.
5. Two references to people who can attest to your ability to meet artistic deadlines.

Once initial submissions are received, the art selection committee will select twelve semi-finalists.  Those artists will be interviewed in 10 minute interview spots to further discuss their ideas/concept.  From there, six finalists will be chosen to submit a full design.  Each of these six finalists will be paid a stipend of $250 to prepare and present her/their full design concepts via Zoom.  From this group, the three winning artists will be chosen for this project and each will be paid $4000.  Payment will be remitted as follows: 25% upon selection; 75% upon completion of murals.

ELIGIBILITY
Open to all women* artists.

HOW TO SUBMIT
Submit entries via CaFe–takes only 5 minutes to set up an account if you don’t already have one!

https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=10947

For questions, please email us at info@athenaprojectarts.org with the subject MURAL CALL.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND TIMELINE

• Submission Deadline: Monday, October 24, 2022 by midnight MST

• Entry Notification: Twelve semi-finalists will be selected and notified of next steps by October 27, 2022
• Semi-Finalist Interviews: Interviews with twelve semi-finalists will be held on October 28, 29 and 30, 2022
• Six Finalist Artists selected: November 1, 2022

Each finalist artist will be paid a stipend of $250 to complete her/their mural design

• Mural Design must be completed by November 16, 2022 by midnight MST
• Three winning Artists selected:  November 23, 2022

Each winning artist will receive an award of $4000

• Mural Installation Dates: Work to begin on December 1 with murals finalized no later than December 7, 2022 (this is to account for weather challenges along the way, but murals should be completed ideally within 2-3 days at most)

Artist Responsibilities: Artist is responsible for all paint, supplies (including ladders, brushes, dropcloths, etc.) and other costs associated with the mural as described in the call. Artists will assume all responsibility for insurance, logistics, transportation, meals, and site management. Payment will be remitted upon completion of the project.