The Town of Monson, Massachusetts, is seeking proposals from qualified artists to design and install a new mural at 115 Main St. This project is made possible through funding by the Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) grant program. The total budget available for the project, including materials, expenses and artist commission, is $16,400. Guidance for the creation of the mural will be provided by the Town of Monson, the Monson Arts Council, and the public art subcommittee of the Monson Business and Civic Association (Monson BCA).
The mural is to be located on the northwest facing wall of Adams Marketplace, located at 115 Main Street in Monson. The whole wall measures approximately 135 feet in length, with a height of 11 feet. The recommended portion for use is the central section, enclosed by downspouts, and is about 60 feet in length. The artist may choose to use the entire wall for the mural if he or she wishes, provided that it does not exceed the budget.
The theme suggested for the mural is “A celebration of Monson: past, present and future”. The theme may be interpreted by the artist as long as it remains clear in the final product. It is recommended that the artist visit the town and become familiar with its landmarks. It is hoped that the mural will focus attention on the town and its character.
The suggested method for implementing the mural design is on panels, preferably aluminum composite (ACM), that will be affixed to a concrete wall. It is thought that painting directly on the wall surface would lead to early degradation of the mural. The proposal should include all costs associated with mounting the mural in place for a lifespan of at least 10 years.
It is expected that the community will be involved in the mural’s creation in a capacity not requiring technical ability, such as choosing motifs or assisting in painting undemanding sections of the mural.
The type of involvement is at the discretion of the artist.
The Monson BCA and Town Selectboard will provide final approval for the mural’s design.
The total budget available for the project’s materials, expenses, insurance and artist commission is $16,400. This budget should include all expenses for materials and installation of the mural, including insurance with a $1 million general liability coverage, plus an amount which the applicant would like to reserve as a commission. The applicant can specify an amount allocated as a commission, not to exceed $8,000.
This opportunity is available to artists over 18 years of age. Preference will be given to practicing professional artists with experience in the design and installation of projects at this scale. A portfolio of prior work on such projects will be important in the Committee’s decision. The portfolio may include up to five examples of prior relevant work, each example limited to a single page.
Proposals should be submitted to michelle@civicspacecollaborative.org by 5 pm on March 1, 2023. If you are intending to apply, please email Michelle to let her know.
All materials should ideally be included in a single PDF or word file; submissions in multiple parts are discouraged.
The package should include the following:
While subject to change, it is expected that the chosen artist will be selected in early 2023 and the mural will be completed during the 2023 calendar year.
For questions and inquiries regarding this call for art, please email michelle@civicspacecollaborative.org.
