MLK Boulevard and Swope Parkway Retaining Wall Mural

This is a public art mural opportunity for an exterior, public-facing retaining wall at the southwest corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Swope Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri. The retaining wall measures approximately 20 feet high by 130 feet wide. The city will prep and prime the wall to receive a mural. The total budget available for this project is $30,000, all inclusive, covering artist fees, travel, fabrication, supplies, materials, labor, permits, licenses, insurance, equipment rental, shipping, delivery, documentation, and installation.

Eligibility is limited to professional visual artists or artist teams at least 18 years of age based in the Kansas City Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which includes specific Missouri and Kansas counties. Artists previously contracted for a City of Kansas City, Missouri One Percent for Art commission within two years of their past project's contract execution date are not eligible. Full-time permanent city employees and certain project consultants are ineligible. Collaborators and teams may apply.

Applications must include up to 10 images and up to 6 videos of original completed commissions (minimum 5 total work samples, maximum 16), artist resume, letter of interest, and residency location. All work samples must include title, medium, dimensions, project budget, year completed, and location. The selection panel will select 2-5 semifinalists, who will each receive a $1,000 design proposal stipend. Semifinalists will advance to the RFP phase to propose designs. The finalist's proposal will be presented to the Municipal Art Commission for approval prior to contract execution. Questions should be emailed to [email protected] by Monday, April 7, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Central. Virtual Q&A sessions are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Central on Tuesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 9. Artists using artificial intelligence tools must identify such use in the information accompanying each image.