RFQ
StreetSmARTS Mural Program Artist Pool
Project Overview
The San Francisco Arts Commission invites artists, artist teams, urban artists, and street writers to submit qualifications for the StreetSmARTS Mural Program Artist Pool.
Artists will be compensated at a rate of $50 per square foot. For example, a mural size of 200 square feet would have a budget of $10,000. This fee is inclusive of the artist fee, materials, and all other associated cost.
Project Description
StreetSmARTS is a Public Works (PW) program, administered through the San Francisco Arts Commission. The program connects artists with private property owners and City Departments to create vibrant murals on their buildings, enhancing the character of their property and surrounding neighborhood, while deterring ongoing vandalism. Only private property owners who have received Notices of Violation from PW to remove graffiti on their property have the option of participating in this program.
The property owner selects an artist from the StreetSmARTS Mural Program Artist Pool to design and execute a mural on the frequently tagged property. Artist and property owner must agree on the design of the mural and execute an Agreement Form between Artist and Property Owner. The artist will contract with Intersection for the Arts, who holds the insurance and handles payment to the artist.
The Arts Commission must also approve the proposed design prior to issuing funding and moving forward with the mural. Murals commissioned through StreetSmARTS program do not become part of the Civic Art Collection.
Selection Process
Artist Review Panel: The applications will be reviewed by a Review Panel, who will score the artists on the selection criteria listed below. Artists who score within a competitive range will be included in the StreetSmARTS Murals Pool for approval by the Arts Commission.
Arts Commission Approval: The Artist Review Panel’s recommendation will be submitted first to the Visual Arts Committee (VAC), a subcommittee of the Arts Commission and then to the full Arts Commission for approval. All Artist Review Panel recommendations are subject to the Visual Arts Committee and Full Arts Commission.
All Arts Commission meetings and Public Art Review Panel meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Arts Commission website at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. To check the meeting schedule for public art projects, please go to our calendar.
Muralist Selection: When a property owner chooses to participate in the StreetSmARTS Program, they will work with Arts Commission staff to select an artist in the StreetSmARTS Murals Pool or other approved artist pools. The StreetSmARTS Murals Pool will be valid for a two-year period, If you have been selected to create a mural, Arts Commission staff will contact you to discuss your interest and availability.
ARTIST SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Selection Criteria for Artists and Artwork: Artists and artwork will be selected in accordance with the Mission and Goals of the Civic Art Collection and in accordance with the criteria below. Criteria to be used when scoring an artist’s application shall include, but not be limited to the following considerations:
- Artistic Merit: Artistic Merit may be judged by such measures as originality of concept and artistic vision; the degree to which the work engages the viewer emotionally, intellectually, spiritually; the qualify of craftsmanship or mastery of skills and techniques. Artistic merit may also be credited to artwork that reflects a significant or direct relationship between the artist and distinct racial or cultural communities.
- Relevant Skills & Experience: The assessed ability of an artist to successfully implement a proposed mural project, such as the ability to work constructively with other project stakeholders, meet deadlines, willingness to resolve issues as they arise, and generally manage the demands of the project. Cultural competency and/or significant connection between the artist and the project constituency, or experience that may particularly qualify an artist to meet project goals may also be considered.
How To Apply
Applications are available through SlideRoom, an online application system for calls for entry. There is no charge to artists for using SlideRoom. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered will not be considered.
Applications will not be accepted after the January 19, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (PDT) deadline.
Application materials include:
1. Resume
- 10,000 characters maximum.
- If you are applying as a team, please include your team/studio resume. If that is not available, please combine the individual resumes (one right after the other) of each team member into one document.
2. 10 images of previous work
- SlideRoom accepts all image file types up to 5MB. Images should at least 72 dpi and no larger than 1280 x 1280 pixels
- For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each project.
- For more information on working with media, please click here
3. Image descriptions
- When you upload your images, SlideRoom will prompt you to fill out image descriptions. Please include the title, medium, dimensions, and year for each work. You may also include a brief statement (2 sentences maximum) about each work.
Check out our How to Apply to Calls for helpful tips on how to submit the most competitive application.
Please note that Arts Commission staff will be available to answer questions about this call until 5 p.m. (PDT) on the deadline date, January 19, 2023. Please contact Rebeka Rodriguez Mondragón at rebeka.rodriguez@sfgov.org or 628.260.2730.
SlideRoom technical support is available Monday – Saturday by email, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (CDT) support@slideroom.com.
Project Timeline
RFQ Issued
November 21, 2023
Application Deadline
January 19, 2024
Artist Review Panel Meeting
early March 2023
Visual Arts Committee Approval of Finalists
March 20, 2024
Full Commission Approval
April 1, 2024