Salinas-Alisal Vibrancy Neighborhood Beautification (Highway 101) Public Art Project

The Arts Council for Monterey County, together with Caltrans and the City of Salinas, seek California-based artists or artist teams to create and install large-scale murals at three Highway 101 underpasses in Salinas: Market Street, Sanborn Road, and Alisal Street. The project includes exterior façades and interior vertical walls of the underpasses integrated with the theme and style of the mural. Artists may apply for one, two, or all three mural projects. Budget allocations are $100,000 for Alisal Street, $280,000 for Sanborn Road, and $300,000 for Market Street.

This project is part of the State Highway Beautification Project, sponsored by the California Department of Transportation and the Clean California Program, which aims to transform undercrossing structures into pieces of art while enhancing landscaping and improving lighting. The project will include improved lighting for safety and custom artistic elements reflective of the Alisal's historic heritage, cultural diversity, and distinctive environment.

Applicants must be based in California with preference given to Monterey County, specifically E. Alisal and Salinas applicants. Teams selected from outside Monterey County must include a local artist as a member. Submissions must include a resume/CV, 5-10 work samples related to the project themes and demonstrating experience with similar public art projects, an annotated work sample list, a one-page artist statement, and three references. The proposal must include a community engagement component with collaboration with local youth. Applications must be submitted online through the CaFÉ call for artists website only. The deadline for online submission is 10:59 p.m. PST on June 20, 2022.