Art in Park — Call for Mural Artists IS NOW CLOSED

Title: New Free-Standing Murals in the Berwyn Art Park 

Submission Deadline: August 27, 2023 

Location: South Berwyn Park District Lot at Oak Park Avenue/34th Avenue — Google Street View of Lot (pre-installation)

 

Artist Qualification: Must have experience and be able to show a portfolio of work

Size: Free Standing Murals are 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall (horizontal)

Budget: Each final artist will receive $200 for materials before the start of the project and a $600 stipend for mural work on location – boards are mounted on location and will be primed. 

Final Selection: September 18, 2023

Art Installation: Mid-October, 2023

Background 

The Berwyn Public Art Initiative (BPAI) is updating the "Art in the Park" installation. The "Art on Track" Installation was created in 2019 with the City of Berwyn and was financed with the West Suburban Mass Transit District Grant for Public Art. Volunteers helped us to relocate the art in 2022 to a park owned by the South Berwyn Public Park District.

Based on weather wear, two existing boards will be replaced with new installations in October 2023. 

BPAI is seeking to commission two artists to create these semi-permanent outdoor murals. 

Winning artists will be awarded a paid contract and responsible for on-site creation and installation.

Each final artist will receive $200 for materials before the start of the project and a $600 stipend for mural work on location – boards are mounted on site and will be primed.

Theme and Location 

Artists are asked to design a mural that will be enjoyed by the diverse community of Berwyn and surrounding area at a highly visible location. All work must be original. References/Stencils may be used only if they were created by the artist. The BPAI board and Park District representatives will review all applications and renderings to determine finalists who will be awarded the opportunity to install their concepts. 

Stipend

Artists will be paid $200 for materials after the contract is signed, prior to the execution of the mural. Upon completion of the mural artist will receive a $600 stipend to cover time and labor for one 8ftx4ft (horizontal).

Proposal Submission Requirements 

To be considered for the project, please complete this google form

The form contains the following:

  • Contact Information

  • Website or Social Media Links to artist work and/or PDF of work samples

  • A brief narrative description of the concept for the mural 

  • Artist rendering for the proposed mural in digital format (Submissions should be in the 8x4 (horizontal) proportion to match final execution)
    Having image size issues? Read here for some quick tricks!

Selection Guidelines

Applications will be reviewed by the BPAI board and South Berwyn Park District representatives. Criteria considered by the committee include: 

  • Artistic Quality: Concept, Vision, Originality of idea and clear narrative describing the work  Originality of idea and clear narrative describing the work. 

  • Site: The potential of the work to enhance and expand the public’s awareness of art in Berwyn and the location.

  • Inclusivity: We seek work from artists of diverse racial, sexual and cultural identities. The program also shall strive for diversity to style, scale, media and numbers of artists represented. Exploratory types of work as well as established art forms shall be encouraged. Artists must be 18 years of age or older to apply.

  • Originality: Artists are required to warrant that artwork is their own original, unique design and an edition of one or part of a limited edition, and to warrant artwork is not infringing on copyrighted materials. Logos, advertisements or any kind of commercial signage will not be accepted. Only the artist’s name and year of completed mural is permitted.

  • Execution: The submitting artist has to paint their submitted proposal on location during the agreed time and seal work upon completion to withstand at least 12 month of weather exposure.

The committee will review current submissions and announce selected artists by Mid September.

The committee reserves the right to withhold the commission award if it should not find a satisfactory artwork. All submitted complete applications will be reviewed. Applications not meeting the submission guidelines will not be considered. The committee reserves the right to reject any or all application and proposals. 

Rights about reproduction or visual representation of the work

Berwyn Public Art Initiative (BPAI) and South Berwyn Park District reserve the right to photograph and video record and use accepted work for documentation, on websites, social media and print for publicity and/or fundraising to expand the public art portfolio. Whenever possible the artist name will be included.

Forward all questions and submissions to: BPAI Board of Directors
info@berwynpublicartinitiative.org