Call for Public Art: Liberty Plaza Mural, Ann Arbor, MI

The City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are collaborating to commission an artist or artist team to design and paint a mural in Liberty Plaza, a .26-acre urban plaza in downtown Ann Arbor located on the corner of Division Street and Liberty Avenue. The three-tiered sunken plaza, designed by Chuck Cares and constructed in 1977, features concrete walls of varying heights that create a unique opportunity for muralists. The mural design should be colorful, fun, and non-representational in subject. Designs may not include letters, words, numbers, logos, trademarked materials, commercial imagery, sexual imagery, violence, or religious or political content. The budget for this commission is $35,000, inclusive of all costs including design fee, materials, supplies, fabrication, transportation, installation, travel, per diem, project documentation, and contingency. All artwork must be fabricated of highly durable exterior-grade paint with an anti-graffiti coating required. Paint on the ground must be slip-resistant.

Artists or artist teams residing in the United States can apply, including applicants on a U.S. Visa who can legally work in the United States. Application requirements include a written proposal statement, sketch showing site-specific design concept, CV/resume, 3 references, artist bio, and 5-10 past work images (videos permitted). The selection process is two-stage: a panel will review applications and select three semi-finalists, who will receive a $500 honorarium to further develop their proposals and participate in interviews. The finalist will be awarded in February-March 2025, with project completion and installation in Summer/Fall 2025. Call submission deadline: December 1st, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.