UMass Dartmouth Living Gallery - Mural Project

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create and install a mural on the rectangular façade of the Main Auditorium next to the MacLean Campus Center. The façade measures 14x48 feet, with a working area of up to 12x46 feet. The project budget will be equal to or less than $50,000. This initiative is open to all artists, including faculty, students, and artists from local communities and beyond.

The mural design, medium, color, and subject matter must complement the architecture of the building and add color, warmth, and human interest to the space. The mural must be made of durable materials able to withstand a variable coastal climate and must have a protective coating durable enough to withstand outdoor elements for at least five years. The design should link the mural art with the history of the university and/or the surrounding region, and must be suitable for public viewing by the campus and external communities.

Proposals must be submitted by March 16, 2015 and should include 10 to 12 images of completed artwork (digital submissions at 300 dpi with 1200 pixels as the longest dimension), a full-scale rendering, diagrams and descriptions of support and mounting devices, a written explication of the project's intended meaning and context, a two-page resume, and a budget with justification. The total proposal length should not exceed 10 pages. A selection committee will screen proposals on April 15 and determine three qualifiers. The three finalists will be invited to campus (at the University's expense) on May 15 and paid $1000 for their time. A finalist will be selected on June 1, with installation completion and public unveiling scheduled for October 1. The accepted commission will be paid in three installments: one-third at contract signing, one-third upon completion, and the final third upon installation and dedication.