Call for Artists: Public Mural

Submission Deadline: Friday, February 25, 2022
Artist’s Stipend: $12,000 + substrate (design fee included)
Mural Dimensions: Approximately 30’ x 12’
Contact: Krista Coltrin, [email protected]
Artist Application:
https://www.woodstockil.gov/arts-commission/page/call-artists-public-mural

The City of Woodstock, Illinois seeks artists’ proposals for a public mural as part of an outdoor dining and entertainment area in its historic downtown district.

Woodstock is the arts and culture focal point of McHenry County, Illinois. The Historic Woodstock Square is home to the Woodstock Opera House, Stage Left Café, and numerous other arts and entertainment venues. In its most recent downtown development plan, the City identified the creation of public art in the Woodstock Square Historic District as a goal. The commissioning of a new mural in the historic district is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to give residents and visitors opportunities to engage with the arts.

Mural Location  The mural will be attached to the exterior, west-facing facade of a privately owned building at 220 N. Benton Street.

The proposed mural site is located on a street adjacent to the historic Woodstock Square and within the historic district. During summer months, the street is closed to vehicular traffic and is used as an outdoor dining and entertainment space by several nearby restaurants. The site has high visibility and a significant amount of pedestrian traffic.

Residents and visitors come to the historic Woodstock Square to attend performances at the Woodstock Opera House and private music and movie venues, as well as numerous special events throughout the year. The award-winning Woodstock Farmers Market, locally owned shops, and popular bars and restaurants also attract people to the Woodstock Square in large numbers. For more information on the community, visit WoodstockIL.org or RealWoodstock.com.

Submission Criteria
Artists shall submit the following for consideration:
• Artist Application
• Resume
• Link to portfolio
• One to two paragraph narrative describing design concept, including substrate
• Reference

Design Submission
After review by an art advisory group, finalists will be selected and notified to submit a full-color design for consideration. A $500 design fee will be paid to those artists not chosen as the finalist.

Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
• the artistic excellence, vibrancy, and originality of the artist
• the appropriateness of the design for its site in Woodstock’s entertainment district
• the documented experience of the artist in completing similar projects

Designs must be the artist’s own work and must not violate any copyright restrictions.

Any artist with previous mural design and installation experience is eligible to submit a proposal.

Submission Process
All components of the proposal must be submitted in digital format via the online submission portal linked here by midnight on February 25, 2022. Incomplete applications and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

There is no submission fee. Artists may submit more than one proposed concept.

All correspondence and contracts are part of the public record. By submitting materials you are (1) consenting to the release of those materials by the City in response to requests under the Public Records Act and (2) agreeing to indemnify and hold harmless the City for release of such information.

Selection Process
City staff will review applications for completeness and eligibility. The City Council will determine final project award and contract terms. Designs may also be subject to review by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission and the City’s Arts Commission.

Project Logistics

Site Conditions
The mural will be mounted to the west-facing brick façade of a historic building. The space available for the mural is approximately 30 feet by 12 feet. Permission from the building owner has been secured. It is clean and in good condition for an installation. The wall abuts the sidewalk; there are no obstructions. The City will work with the selected artist to accommodate requests for access to power and water as well as overnight storage of materials.

Timeline
Submissions must be received no later than midnight (CST) on Friday, February 25, 2022.
• Finalists selected: By March 4, 2022
• Design submissions: By March 25, 2022
• Mural agreement available: By April 15, 2022
• Project completed: By July 15, 2022

The mural should be installed to withstand weather and other site conditions for a term to be agreed upon by the selected artist and the City in the mural agreement. The mural is subject to removal by the City at any time during or after the agreed upon period.

Artist Stipend
The artist stipend is $12,000. This amount must cover the artist’s design fee, supplies and travel. The City of Woodstock will pay for the substrate and equipment necessary to complete the project onsite. One-third of the amount will be paid when the mural agreement is signed; one-third at the project mid-point; and one-third when the project is completed.

Policies
The selected artist must show proof of liability insurance prior to beginning mural installation. The City of Woodstock, Benton Street LLC, and any other parties participating in installation must be named as additional insured entities.

Proposed designs remain the property of the artist unless the design is selected by the City. The selected design and installed mural will be the property of the City of Woodstock. As such, no royalties or fees, beyond the initial artist’s fee, will be attached to its ongoing use by the City.

Any unapproved substitutions or deviations from the approved final design or proposed materials may result in termination of contract, removal of imagery, and non-payment of any amount due. City staff will monitor mural installation.

Project Contact

Krista Coltrin
City of Woodstock
Economic Development Coordinator/
Arts Commission Liaison
(815) 338-3176
[email protected]