Call for Muralist(s)

Project Details:

Gaylord Area Council for the Arts is seeking submissions artists/muralist(s) to design and install a mural of original work that will cover an area of approximately 250sqft as part of the Art in the Alley Project.  Art in the Alley is a community collaboration that involves working with the property/business owner(s), City of Gaylord, Downtown Development Authority, and Downtown Merchants Association, and community members.  We seek to transform a 3-block blighted alleyway into a vibrant Arts and Culture gather place.  We believe that art can be transformative and the impact of community murals has value way beyond the art on the walls to share our message on the importance of community in Otsego County. 

Project Location:

White Birch Outfitters | 302 W Main St, Gaylord, MI 49735 | North East facing brick wall

Total Project Budget AND DESCRIPTION:

Budget: $3,000

The project budget is all inclusive, including but not limited to artist fees, fees associated with design and renderings, consultants, fabrication, storage, transportation, installation, and materials and equipment. Artists to submit applications on designing and installing a color mural of approximately 250sqft on a brick building located on the Northern alleyway in Gaylord's Downtown District. ​

Theme:

Art in the Alley Overarching Theme: The proposed mural design should align with the theme of "Celebrating Community" through an Otsego County historical, environmental, and/or cultural lens(es).

Property/Business Owner's Vision: Open to the artists interpretation of the above theme, however, would like a magazine cover art style that was popular in earlier decades up to and around the 1970’s.  Think "vintage Field and Stream" magazine. For more details on this particular artistic style and the artists known for such an approach, please visit the American Museum of Fly fishing 

eligibility:

To ensure a fair and comprehensive selection process for the public art mural project, the following eligibility requirements must be met by all applicants:

1. Michigan Residency:
   • Applicants must be a full-time or part-time Michigan resident.
   • Special consideration will be given to residents of Otsego County.
2. Submitted Proposal is Complete and Includes:
   • Artist Statement: A clear and concise statement describing your artistic vision and approach.
   • Professional References: Provided at least two references who can attest to professional abilities and experience.
   • Samples of Work: Submission of requested samples that showcase artistic skills and previous works.
   • Proposed Mock-up/sketch and/or renderings: up to 3 mock-ups/sketches or renderings of the proposed mural, demonstrating concept and design. Please note if you are the chosen artist, you will need to submit a detailed complete rendering that will be used for approval by the property owner and DDA/City of Gaylord. All submission must remain free of explicit language, nudity, depictions of violence, etc. They also must align with the county's signage ordinances (ie. cannot advertise a specific business, etc.). 
   • Participation Motivation: A written description explaining why the artist wants to participate in this project and what it means to them.​  

Applicants who fail to meet these criteria will be deemed ineligible for consideration in the mural project. We encourage all interested artists who meet these requirements to submit their proposals for an opportunity to contribute to this exciting community project.

the review process

Once eligibility has been determined, submissions will be reviewed by the Gaylord Arts Mural Committee. The committee will select the top three proposals that will then be given to the property/business owner for final review and selection. Artists will be notified of their acceptance status by April 7, 2024.

submission scoring:

Each proposal will be evaluated based on a comprehensive scoring system totaling 100 points. This system is designed to ensure that the selected mural not only aligns with the project's theme but also showcases the artist's experience and commitment to quality. Below is a breakdown of the criteria and questions that will guide the evaluation process:​

• Theme Alignment (60 points): This category assesses how well the proposed mural design aligns with the theme of "Celebrating Community" through historical, environmental, and/or cultural lens(es), and how well the design aligns with the vision of the property or business owner where the mural will be located.
• Artist Experience and Proven Quality (40 points): This section evaluates the artist's experience in creating commissioned art or outdoor murals and their ability to deliver quality work and will take into consideration
  • Experience level
  • Local connection (ie. Otsego County resident)
  • Demonstration of quality and long-lasting durability of past work​

How to apply:

All proposals must be submitted electronically utilizing the submission form below. ​

application Deadline:

Applicants should provide a completed application following the guidelines set forth in the Call to Artist  no later than March 31, 2024 by 11:59pm. that includes:

• Application form fully complete. 
• At least one concept of their mural idea(s). (max of three may be submitted)
• A minimum of two examples of past murals.  If first time mural, past work artistic work may be submitted. 
• Two professional references.

​Please note, any missing information will automatically disqualify an application.