Kent Downtown Mural Project

The Kent Arts Commission, in partnership with the Kent Downtown Partnership, invites artists to submit qualifications to create original artwork designs for the Kent Downtown Mural Project. Two artists will be selected to create murals for two locations in Kent's historic downtown: the exterior east wall of the building at 403 W. Meeker Street (approximately 14 feet x 20 feet) and the exterior east wall of the building at 314 West Meeker Street (approximately 12 feet x 40 feet).

Artists working in two-dimensional media, including painting, photography, graphic design, printmaking, and drawing, are invited to submit. The artwork should add color and vibrancy to the site and may include representational or abstract elements. Content can be inspired by the locations, reference the culture, people, or histories of the region, or feature unique and eye-catching imagery. Artwork will be reproduced on a vinyl wrap and mounted on ¼" ACM panels. Each mural will remain on view for approximately two years.

This call is open to emerging and established professional artists residing in Washington state and working in two-dimensional media. Previous public art experience is not required. Kent and South King County based artists are strongly encouraged to apply. Two selected artists will each receive compensation not to exceed $5,000 for the artist fee, final artwork design, digital file preparation, and applicable WA sales/use tax. Finalists will be compensated a flat fee of $500 to develop their proposals. The City of Kent Arts Commission will coordinate and cover the cost of fabrication and installation.

Submissions must include: a letter of interest/artist statement (limit 1,000 characters), up to ten images of previous work, an annotated image list (limit 2 pages), a resume (limit 2 pages), and professional references (limit 1 page with three references). Application deadline: January 8, 2021, 11:59 p.m. MST. Selection panel will convene mid-January, with finalists notified by late January. Finalist interviews and proposal presentations are scheduled for February 8-19, 2021. Selected artists will be approved by the Kent Arts Commission by March 10, 2021, with final work due April 30, 2021. Anticipated fabrication and installation: May-June 2021.