Mural Arts Philadelphia, Olney Community Collaborative CDC, and SEPTA are seeking to commission a mural by a Philadelphia-based artist or artist collective on the 3,348 square foot awning of the Olney Transportation Center, located at 5689 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19141. The ideal candidate will have previous experience working on community-driven public art projects that highlight local residents' unique perspectives, histories, and goals. The artist will work with residents and youth to conceive the project's mural design and include neighbors in at least one community paint day. We encourage experienced muralists to apply, especially residents of the surrounding neighborhoods or those who have experience working within Logan, Olney, or Oak Lane communities.
The Mural Arts Special Projects Department seeks artists with strong ties to Philadelphia's Olney, Oak Lane, and Logan neighborhoods. Septa, Olney Community Collaborative CDC, and the staff of Mural Arts will review applications and prior work samples. A short list of candidates will be invited to an interview, held virtually, with project stakeholders between October 14-18, 2024. All applicants will be notified of the committee's final decision by October 23, 2024.
The artistic team members should be based in the Philadelphia area and be available for in-person engagement from Fall 2024 through Summer 2025.
We are looking for the following:
Inspiring portfolio of past large-scale mural projects
Proven track record of uplifting diverse community stories and aspirations through artmaking
Preferred experience with community engagement, ideally in Oak Lane, Olney, Fern Rock, Logan
Experience working with organizational partners
Contact Information (Name, Email address, and Telephone number)
A CV/ resume and short biography (up to 2 pages).
A short written response that addresses your artistic practice, relevant past experience with community-engaged projects, and interest in this specific project. The letter should also explain: What motivates you / interests you most about the project? Any connections you have to Olney Transportation or surrounding communities? How would you approach your engagement with the stakeholders? Your general availability during the project period, indicating other professional obligations and any other constraints on your availability
Up to 10 images of past completed work that you consider relevant to this project. Digital images must be JPEG files and must be no more than 300dpi and no larger than 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. Each image must be unlocked and downloadable for viewing.
A list of image titles, including the following information: Image name, Artist’s name; Title of artwork, Location, Date of Completion, Budget; Medium and Dimensions; and Your role on the project, and Website and/or social media with images of your work (optional)
References related to the artist’s creative practice