Entry Due Date: May 5 – July 17, 2023 (Rolling Dates)
Call Type: Public Mural / Stipend Available
Location: Downtown Rapid City, South Dakota
The Rapid City Arts Council invites mural artists (individual or group) to submit proposals for paid opportunities to share the often-untold stories of the Black Hills, using the walls of Art Alley. The project is intended to ignite conversations about our community while amplifying uncommon voices. Three murals will be funded between June and August 2023.
If you have questions about Art Alley or this Call for Artists, please email info@artalleyrc.com or call (605) 394-4101. Walk-ins welcome at the Dahl Arts Center (Education Complex/Kansas City St entrance), 713 7th Street, Rapid City, SD, from 10AM-4PM.
Please read the details fully before applying, and good luck!
About this project:
Art Alley was born in 2003 when artists and community members came together with city officials to create a public art space in downtown Rapid City. The walls of the adjoining businesses now feature unique artworks with personal and political expressions about community and global issues. The walls change constantly, sometimes many times a day– making Art Alley a vibrant public art space and popular destination for artists, locals, and visitors.
This “Conversation Ignitor” series of public murals is made possible through a grant from the Change Network. A public artist reception will be held for each completed mural during Downtown Art Walks on First Fridays, June-August.
Our goal is to protect these murals for display throughout the summer months, though we cannot always prevent unapproved repainting over Art Alley walls. Permits for painting in these mural spaces will not be re-released until December 2023 at the soonest.
DETAILS
Who: Interested Visual Artists - Individual or Group
What: Paid opportunities to paint public murals
When: June – August 2023
Where: Art Alley, Downtown Rapid City
Why: Ignite conversation through public art
Funding: $500 honorarium per completed mural, up to $250 for supplies
Project Dates
Artist selected must complete their mural by one of the following dates (artists may indicate preferred date in form below):
- Friday, June 2 (8ft x 8ft Mural)
- Friday, July 7 (10ft x 12ft Mural)
- Friday, August 4 (9ft x12ft Mural)
Proposal Due Dates
We will consider all proposals submitted before July 10, 2023. If you would like to aim for a specific date, please be sure to submit your proposal before the corresponding due date.
- To be considered for June 2 – submit before May 8
- To be considered for July 7 – submit before June 5
- To be considered for August 4 – submit before July 10
Mural Specifications
- Mural spaces vary in size from 8 feet x 8 feet to 9 feet x 12 feet
- Artists may use any medium that is appropriate for outdoor murals, but it must be approved by RCAC through the submission process
Deliverables
If selected, the Artist must provide:
- Completed public mural in Art Alley
- Written narrative to accompany the artwork (~1000 words)
- Group or individual artist statement
- Photo/video/media release
- Artist to attend public First Friday reception corresponding with selected project date
RCAC to provide:
- Permit to paint
- $500 honorarium for completed mural
- Up to $250 for supplies at the start of approved project
- Artist reception in Art Alley during First Friday Art Walk
Eligibility
- Local or regional artists, with a priority for Black Hills residents (South Dakota and Wyoming area)
- Past recipients of Change Network funding are ineligible for paid opportunity
- Group and individual proposals are welcome
Selection Process
Proposal will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Ability to complete the project as proposed
- Overall alignment of mural description with purpose to share unique perspectives of Black Hills life and history with the public
- Artistic merit / experience of artists involved
Mural artists will be selected by the Rapid City Arts Council based on reviews and recommendations from a committee of community members.
Budget Example:
“Working Mural Title” Art Alley Mural
Use of Funds
Principal Artist: $X00
Collaborating Artist: $X00
Spray Paint: $X00
Wall Prep Supplies: $X0
Paint Brushes: $X0
Total: $(sum of expenses)
**Permit Always Required (No Cost)
Permits are always required to paint in Art Alley and are available at no cost through the Rapid City Arts Council. Artists may apply for a permit at: artalleyrc.com, or visit in person at the Dahl Arts Center (Education Entrance on the corner of Kansas City and 7th St, 10AM-4PM)