Call for Artists
Thriving Futures Mural Initiative
“Building a future where all people
and living environments thrive."
and living environments thrive."
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Smart Energy Choices and Ithaca Murals are
excited to announce $56,000 available for
16 mural projects across the Southern Tier of NYS!
excited to announce $56,000 available for
16 mural projects across the Southern Tier of NYS!
Deadline: March 21, 2025
Eligibility: For community members to paint murals in areas of the Southern Tier where they live or work.
Eligibility: For community members to paint murals in areas of the Southern Tier where they live or work.
LOCATIONS
We will be funding 1-3 murals in each of the 8 counties in the Southern Tier:
Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Tioga, Broome, Chenango, Delaware
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Artists will be tasked to find their own locations for their mural projects in their own counties. While not a requirement, preference will be given to proposals located in areas designated as “Disadvantaged Communities". Ideally, projects will be outdoors or/and very public locations.
Depending on the circumstance, our team may be available to assist artists obtaining permission for walls within their counties.
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THEMES
We would like to fund mural projects incorporating any of the following themes...
• Building a future where all people & living environments thrive.
• Projects considerate to both equity and environmental justice.
• Green jobs & clean energy (e.g. solar, wind, insulation, sustainable transportation).
• What does a just and sustainable future look like?
• How can we address climate change in ways that also improve the lives of all our community's members?
• How do we build on cultural traditions to create strong, resilient communities?
• Projects considerate to both equity and environmental justice.
• Green jobs & clean energy (e.g. solar, wind, insulation, sustainable transportation).
• What does a just and sustainable future look like?
• How can we address climate change in ways that also improve the lives of all our community's members?
• How do we build on cultural traditions to create strong, resilient communities?
Additionally, Artists need to have a public engagement aspect to their projects. For example: including community members in painting, or holding a celebration with a discussion about the themes in the mural. Think big!
FUNDING
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$2,000 Awards
For 8 medium-sized projects! (Opportunity open to 1st time muralists) |
$5,000 Awards
for 8 large-sized projects! (Opportunity for experienced muralists) |
These awards include both materials and artist stipend.
The size of your project proposal is open to your interpretation, below are some examples:
• Medium-sized project: A medium-sized wall outside your grocery store, workplace, or community center!
• Large-sized project: The side of a house, building, or a painting a series of murals in a neighborhood.
• Large-sized project: The side of a house, building, or a painting a series of murals in a neighborhood.
But don’t let these examples limit you - come up with something that feels right for you!
TIMELINE
March 21, 2025, 11:59 pm: Applications due (International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination)
April 7, 2025: Winning artists contacted and announced (World Health Day)
April - June 2025: Artists and organizing team monthly meetings (1st meeting in person in Ithaca, other 2 meetings will be Zoom)
May - July 2025: Mural projects painted
April 7, 2025: Winning artists contacted and announced (World Health Day)
April - June 2025: Artists and organizing team monthly meetings (1st meeting in person in Ithaca, other 2 meetings will be Zoom)
May - July 2025: Mural projects painted
APPLICATION
Submit your mural project proposal via our form link here by 11:59 pm March 21, 2025
Our grant organizing team is available as a support system to help you think about your mural projects before and after these RFQ (Request for Qualification) applications are due. Any artist can paint a mural, but we have found that providing a support network makes for more successful projects.
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Your application should include:
• Your name and contact information, • Brief artist statement or bio, • Your social media or website links, • 5-7 images of painting experience examples, • Funding amount request, • Optional: images or sketches related to your proposed project, • Anticipated mural project description (brief), • Anticipated mural size, • Anticipated materials list, • Anticipated public involvement. |
Questions?
Have questions about your proposal or this initiative? Please text Ithaca Murals at 607-273-5242 Jury
A panel of community justice leaders, Smart Energy Choices staff, and Ithaca Murals will select 16 project winners. Applications will be juried on mural concept, how it connects to one or more of the themes requested, potential project impact and demonstrated plan for community engagement, and capacity demonstrated through previous artwork. Individual & group applicants are eligible.
Artists of color and people from marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply! |
When creating your proposal, remember that this initiative isn't just about painting murals! Our goal is to inspire and fund a cohort of artists thinking together about a “thriving future" - and inspiring the public!
Initiative Facilitators
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Smart Energy Choices is a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension that provides free energy advising to residents, small commercial, non-profit and multifamily building owners and managers to help them reduce their energy use, switch to renewable energy, save money, and improve the comfort of their homes and buildings. Smart Energy Choices is the Regional Clean Energy Hub for the Southern Tier.
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Ithaca Murals is a network of people transforming gray walls into beautiful, meaningful works of art that tell the stories of the diverse people who live here. We implement a cultural arts strategy for building our community stronger. We welcome everyone to be involved with Ithaca Murals while prioritizing the leadership of people of color, under-employed and working class people, people with jail experience, women, LGBTQ+ community members, youth, and anyone who is passionate about justice.
What would you like our cityscape to look like? Watch out. This is an artist takeover. If you're lucky, your house could be next! |