America250-Ohio Tuskegee Airmen Multi-City Murals - Request for Qualifications

ArtWorks, the metro Cincinnati region's year-round workforce development program in the arts, is seeking up to three (3) artists to create portrait designs celebrating Ohio Tuskegee Airmen as part of the America250 campaign. The designs will be translated into murals installed across Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo in 2026, with approximately 6 portraits per city. This project aims to celebrate the Tuskegee Airmen's legacy while deepening understanding of American history and inspiring civic engagement.

Selected artists will receive a design fee of $3,000 ($500 per portrait), paid in two increments ($1,000 upon contract signing and $2,000 upon completion). Artists are responsible for all design development costs within this stipend. Each selected artist will receive a creative brief with reference imagery and background information on assigned Airmen. Designs must be submitted digitally and will be hand-painted by an ArtWorks artistic team. Successful artwork should feature exceptional portraiture and eye-catching colors, weave together historical references with contemporary design elements, and consider visual storytelling as foundational to the project.

Eligibility: Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have ties to Ohio or currently reside in Ohio, have experience with portraiture and 2-dimensional design development, and be able to meet project deadlines. Submit a minimum of three (3) and up to five (5) relevant images of completed artworks from the last ten years with accompanying reference sheets, along with résumé/CV, artist bio (250 words), headshot, portfolio link, and a one-page letter of interest describing your connection to the project. Application deadline: November 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Selected artists will be notified December 1, 2025.