mural artist request for qualifications

All interested artists are eligible to submit past work examples in response to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the opportunity to be selected to develop and install temporary murals on NYC DOT property. Artwork will remain installed for a minimum of one month and a maximum of 11 months. Projects commissioned through this RFQ will be site-specific and installed on NYC DOT property as selected by NYC DOT Art. Projects will be funded and managed by NYC DOT Art. 

Mural sites may include Asphalt Art Activations, Barrier Beautification, or Special Projects including wall murals and other site types.

Selection Process

The NYC DOT Art Advisory Committee and a project specific selection jury shall review and identify artists to be included in an artist registry based on the following criteria:

• Past artwork demonstrates proficiency in design and ability to translate the design into a final mural; 

• Previous experience demonstrates ability to collaborate with a large agency on a public project; and

• Previous experience demonstrates ability to collaborate with community groups and the public to incorporate community feedback into final design.

• Artist resides in the United States. Local artists living in New York City and the Tristate Area will receive priority. International artists are not eligible.

When a project site becomes available, NYC DOT Art shall review the artist registry and invite up to five of the shortlisted artists to participate in a phone interview to discuss the potential project site, and to better acquaint the agency with the artist’s past work and artistic process. This group of artists may also be required to develop a conceptual design proposal for review. Final selection shall be based on the written responses to the RFQ application, the phone interview, and, if applicable, the conceptual design proposal.

Upon selection, each artist shall develop a final site-responsive design for implementation at a designated project site within a minimum of one month of notification. As additional project sites become available throughout the year, NYC DOT Art will review the artist registry and contact shortlisted artists to respond to these opportunities. Artists may be considered for multiple projects but may only be commissioned once per fiscal year. 

Project Scope

Selected artists for mural projects will be responsible for the following: 

• Complete one conceptual design and, once approved, complete one final design for a site designated by NYC DOT Art for review and approval;

• Develop an implementation plan and material list to be reviewed by NYC DOT Art;

• Paint the design onto the mural site with support from a group of the artist’s own assistants and/or volunteers; and

• Selected artists may be asked to participate in public engagement initiatives.