Mercer County Cass Street Prison Mural Project

Mercer County is seeking artists and artist teams to create a public mural for the exterior wall of the New Jersey State Prison located at 600 Cass Street in Trenton. The wall measures 319 ft (w) x 19 ft (h) and is constructed from concrete that has been cleaned, repaired, and prepped for mural display. This is a highly visible site on a major access road in the State's capital.

This is a two-phase process. Phase 1 is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) with a submission deadline of December 8, 2023. Up to five qualified candidates will be invited to submit full proposals in Phase 2. Finalists selected to develop full proposals will receive a $350 stipend. The mural design should incorporate the following themes: Vibrant & Welcoming, Inclusive & Aspirational, Iconic & Eye-catching, and Embracing Community. Materials must be weather resistant and adhere to the concrete wall.

Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists and artist teams living or working within the tri-state area (New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania). Artists with positive public art installation experience and/or partnerships with architects are strongly preferred. The total project budget is $150,000, which includes design, materials, fabrication, transportation, insurance, installation costs, and artist compensation. The project timeline includes site visits in late 2023, Phase 2 presentations in January 2024, final artist selection in late January/early February 2024, and project installation completion by late summer/early fall 2024. The winning artist will receive monetary compensation, be featured in the Culture & Heritage newsletter, receive a press release, and have the opportunity to address their work at a Mercer County Commissioner meeting. For site visits, contact the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage at (609) 278-2712 or [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance.