Artists Sought for Bicentennial Legends Portrait Murals
Budget: $25,000
Deadline: 12/31/2023
The Arts Council of Indianapolis is assembling a pool of artists interested in creating large-scale, painted portrait murals of “legends” important to the growth and culture of Indianapolis. Murals are anticipated to be executed between 2021 and 2023. For each mural, three artists from the pool will be selected by the mural’s community stakeholder group to create design proposals; one of the proposals will be commissioned. At least 2-3 murals will be created during the initial phase, with additional murals pending funding.
This is a non-juried pool: the community stakeholder committee convened for each portrait mural will review everyone whose work is in the pool and will select three artists to be compensated to create design proposals for specific murals. Some murals may require a special jury process or, based on the partnerships involved, may require their artists to be identified in a different manner; however, we anticipate that nearly all mural projects will be commissioned from artists who have submitted their information to this pool. Artists may submit information to the pool at any time. Submitting your information does not guarantee consideration for a commission.
Project Description
As part of Indianapolis’ Bicentennial celebration (observed between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021), the Arts Council of Indianapolis is beginning a long-term, deliberate effort to convene community conversations around the concept of “legends,” and to commission new, civic-scale portrait murals of legendary Indiana figures.
Although it is being started during the Bicentennial, and the goal is to identify “legends” who embody the Bicentennial values of History, Civic Pride, Innovation, and Legacy as well as Indianapolis’ record of unity, audacity, and excellence, the Arts Council anticipates creating Legends murals past the dates of the Bicentennial celebration.
We are defining the concept broadly: legends do not have to be world-famous, but they must have had an impact on the people, places, and culture of Indiana and Indianapolis. We are particularly interested in identifying legends who are “unsung,” or whose importance may have been historically overlooked because of their race, gender, economic status, or social class.
As these murals are commissioned, the Arts Council will also partner with Indiana Humanities to commission Indiana-based writers (including authors, poets, and/or spoken word artists) to create reflections on the legend and legacy of each individual. Writers will be identified through a separate process.
Because of the Bicentennial celebration, the first several murals will be Indiana figures who had an attributable impact on Indianapolis specifically. Additional portrait subjects will be identified through community conversations and an open nominations process , and will be matched with locations provided by private property owners through a separate “open call for walls” solicitation process.
Artwork Goals
The murals will convey a recognizable likeness of the individual(s) portrayed, and will also seek to highlight each mural artist’s interpretation of the individual’s legendary nature in their own style.
The first mural subject identified is “Major” Taylor, whose portrait mural will be created in the late spring or early summer of 2021. Indianapolis-born bicycle racer Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor (1878-1932) was one of this country’s first Black sports superstars and only the second U.S. Black world champion in any sport. He was the world cycling champion in 1899, American sprint champion in 1900, and set numerous international track cycling records. In an era of strict racial segregation, Taylor had to fight prejudice just to get on the starting line. Taylor is an inspiration and model for today, not only for his athletic achievements in the face of unrelenting racism, but also because of his integrity, generosity of spirit, concern for others, and invaluable contribution to America’s non-violent struggle for equality.
Eligibility
Professional mural artists over 18 and legally able to work onsite in the United States.
Application Requirements
Work examples: 1 - 20
Artists are allowed to apply in teams.
Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.
For more information and to apply, click here.
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