Call for Artists: Murals, Mosaics, Bus Shelters, Basketball Court

Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) in partnership with the City of St. Louis Community Development Agency (CDA) is  looking for local artists to design artwork for five, two-dimensional public art opportunities in the Near North Side  as part of the Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI). 

Applications are open to St. Louis area-based artists and creatives, including painters, graphic designers,  illustrators, photographers, and other artists who work in a two-dimensional medium. To apply, simply submit  images of your past work, a resume or bio, and answer two short questions about your interest and inspiration.  

An advisory group of Near North Side neighbors will review submissions and select finalists to receive a $750 stipend and to develop a concept design. From that group of finalists, the advisory group will select artists for  each project. Those selected artists will receive an artist fee, which varies by project.
 
For more information on how to apply, and background on the CNI and the Near North Side, see below. Deadline for applications is March 26, 2024. 

About the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative 

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) is a program of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development  that leverages significant public and private dollars to support locally driven strategies that address neighborhoods with public or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood  transformation. The City of St. Louis’ Near North Side Choice Neighborhood Initiative encompasses Carr Square and Columbus Square neighborhoods, along with portions of Old North St. Louis and St. Louis Place.  

The CNI neighborhood team has been working with Near North Side (NNS) residents since the launch of the  Critical Communities Improvement Plan in July 2020. This plan builds on the capacity and insights provided by  residents and will result in a series of neighborhood improvements designed to promote individual and  community wealth. Residents indicated they wanted safer spaces to play, have fellowship and relax; cleaner and  better streets; opportunities for meaningful careers that can sufficiently support families; good development of  vacant land and buildings; and greater unity and collaboration between neighbors. 
About the Near North Side  

The Near North Side of St. Louis boasts a rich history. This area was founded as the Village of North St. Louis in  1816 and was absorbed into the City of St. Louis in 1841. Initially settled by European immigrants, the area thrived  and grew as a melting pot of cultures and with many spoken languages. The 1920s Great Migration brought a  demographic shift. African American migrants left the Jim Crow South to establish families, businesses, social  clubs, churches, unions, and deep roots in the Near North Side's cultural tapestry. The mid-20th century brought  significant challenges in the form of urban renewal, including the building and destruction of Pruitt-Igoe. Yet  the Near North Side also witnessed moments of collective action and resistance, such as the 1969 rent strike. The  neighborhoods comprising the Near North Side persevered with determination and potential. Today, they  commemorate their storied past, resilience, and the vibrancy of its residents.

The Goals for Public Art 

• Distinguish and honor the community’s past and progress. 
• Celebrate and highlight the community’s unique identity. 
• Enhance the community sense of wellbeing and belonging. 
• Add creativity, beauty and vibrancy to public spaces. 
• Carry the community’s stories and collective message. 
• Provide opportunities for local artists in the revitalization of the community. 

The Projects 

This Call for Artists includes five opportunities. Artists may apply for one or more of the following projects. 

1. Loretta Hall Park Basketball Mural 
An artist will create a unique mural design for the newly resurfaced, regulation size (94’ x 50’) basketball court in Loretta Hall Park. The mural will infuse color, fun and creativity into the park and  encourage court usage and play. The selected artist will be paid a design fee of $5,000.

An additional budget is set aside for the materials and  labor to execute the mural.  The execution of the mural can be completed under two possible scenarios. (a) The selected artist can  undertake the mural execution if they have previous experience with painting murals, particularly on  horizontal surfaces, and have indicated that they wish to complete the mural themselves. (b) A professional  painter hired by USI can execute the mural. In this scenario the artist will work collaboratively with the painter to ensure the integrity of the artist’s concept is executed.  

2. Loretta Hall Park Mosaic Murals 
An artist will create a series of unique mosaic mural designs for all four façades of the restroom  building in Loretta Hall Park (6 mosaics total: 2 at 8’x3’, 2 at 9’x3’, 2 at 6’x4’). The mosaic murals will  celebrate the people who have come from and championed the neighborhoods surrounding the park.  The selected artist will be paid a design fee of $5,000.

An additional budget is set aside for the materials and  labor to execute the mosaic murals. The execution of the mural can be completed under two possible scenarios. (a) The selected artist can  undertake the mosaic mural execution if they have previous experience with creating and installing mosaics and have indicated that they wish to complete the mosaic mural themselves. (b) A professional mosaicist hired  by USI can create and install the mural. In this scenario the artist will work collaboratively with the mosaicist to  ensure the integrity of the artist’s concept is executed.  

3. Park to Park Crosswalk Murals 
Two or more artists will create a series of crosswalk murals at six intersections that connect Murphy  Park and Loretta Hall Park. The murals will encourage pedestrian safety and use of the crosswalks  and parks. Designs will be bold, colorful, and reflective of the cultural heritage of the neighborhood. The finalists will receive a stipend of $750 to develop a design concept. The selected artists will be paid an  additional design fee of $1,500 per intersection.

An additional budget is set aside for the materials and labor  to execute the mural. The execution of the crosswalk mural can be completed under two possible scenarios. (a) The selected artist  can undertake the mural execution if they have previous experience with painting murals, particularly on  horizontal surfaces, and have indicated that they wish to complete the mural themselves. (b) A professional  painter hired by USI can execute the mural. In this scenario the artist will work collaboratively with the painter  to ensure the integrity of the artist’s concept is executed.  

4. Neighborhood Banners 
Four artists will be selected to create unique neighborhood banner designs – one per neighborhood.  Each selected artist design will create 3-5 images that help tell the story of that neighborhood.  Designs will be printed on aluminum banners that will also include the name of the neighborhood.  Locations for the banners will be determined in consultation with neighborhood representatives. The finalists will receive a stipend of $750 to develop a design concept. A template will be provided. Each selected artist will be paid an additional design fee of $4000.

An additional budget has been set aside for the  fabrication and installation of the banners. Forty-eight banners will be printed and installed – twelve for each  neighborhood. The banners will be printed and installed by a professional banner company. The selected artists will provide  final design files and will have an opportunity to review proofs of the prints. 

5. Bus Shelter Glass 
Two artists will be selected to create an artwork that will be printed on vinyl and applied to the glass on new  bus shelters that are being installed on 14th Street at Biddle. Designs should be visible from inside and outside  of the shelter and follow Bi-State Development Agency rules for translucency and visibility. The finalists will receive a stipend of $750 to develop a design concept. Each selected artist will be paid an  additional design fee of $4000.

An additional budget has been set aside for the fabrication and installation of  the vinyl.  The vinyl will be printed and installed by a professional printing company. The selected artists will provide final  design files and will have an opportunity to review proofs of the prints. 

The Process 

• Step 1: Apply. Let us know if you are interested and tell us about your art practice by filling out the online  application. The specific requirements and a link to the application portal can be found below. 
• Step 2: Review. The CNI Art Advisory Group will review artist submittals and select finalists. Multiple finalists will  be selected for each opportunity. Applicant artists can only be finalists for up to three (3) project opportunities. 
• Step 3: Concept Designs. The selected artist finalists will receive a stipend of $750 per opportunity to develop a  design concept. We will provide a finalist briefing and provide a template and instructions for developing the  concept design(s). 
• Step 4: Final Selection. The Art Advisory Group will review the concept designs and make selections for each  project.  
• Step 5: Implementation. The selected artists will then be engaged to finalize their designs and work with our  team to execute the artwork.
   

To Apply 

Application Requirements 

A link to the application portal can be found here. 

Applications are due before 11:59 pm CST on March 26, 2024. 

You will be asked to submit images, including: 

• 5-10 sample images of previously completed projects that represent your body of artwork (jpg, gif, tif, png). • Information about each work sample including: title, year, location, medium, brief description, dimensions.  
• You will also be asked to submit the following on the application form: 
• Indicate which projects you would like to be considered for (check all that apply). 
• Describe your interest in the project(s) and, if selected, how you would approach developing a design (500  words).  
• Describe your connection to the Near North Side and/or why you are interested in creating a work of art for  this community (150 words). 
• A résumé/CV or bio no longer than 3-pages (pdf, doc or docx).  
• Names and contact information for 3-5 professional references. 
• Your contact information, website and social media tags. 

Please do not send specific proposals at this time. Only finalists will be asked to create concept designs.  

Eligibility 
This opportunity is open to artists and creatives, including painters, graphic designers, illustrators, and other  artists who work in a 2-dimensional medium.  
Artists who are still in school are eligible to apply. Artists must currently reside in the St. Louis metropolitan area,  defined as within 30 miles of the City of St. Louis.  

Pre-Application Workshop 
Interested artists can attend a virtual Pre-Application Workshop on March 11 at 4:00 p.m. We will talk about the  opportunity and walk through the application process. The workshop is optional. Advanced registration for the workshop is required through this Zoom registration link.

Review Criteria 
The Advisory Group will use the following criteria to evaluate the applications: 
• Quality and originality of work in the examples provided. 
• Artist’s style or approach could result in works of art that could be legible, impactful, and fit the goals and  intent of the project.  
• Artist’s interest in creating work that grows out of or responds to a place or community. • Artist’s connection to the Near North Side and/or a compelling interest in creating works of art for this  community.  

USI reserves the right, at their sole discretion, to 1) reject any or all submittals when, in their opinion, it  determined to be in the public interest to do so; 2) waive minor informalities of a submittal, 3) cancel, revise, or  extend this Call for Artists, 4) request additional information which may deemed to be necessary. 

The Timeline 

• The anticipated timeline is as follows. Dates are subject to change. 
• March 11 - Pre-Application Workshop 
• March 26 - Applications Due 
• April - Finalists Notified and Finalist Briefing 
• May - Finalists Submit Concepts and Final Selection June-August Project Execution 

Questions 
The online application portal is here 
Please submit all questions via email to art@viapartnership.com.  
Technical Questions about the submission process, visit: https://zealous.co/help/
For more information about the neighborhoods visit: www.nearnorthsidestl.org