Artist Apprentice Opportunity | Electric Works Parking Garage Mural

ELECTRIC WORKS GARAGE MURAL

MURAL APPRENTICE APPLICATION
ABOUT ELECTRIC WORKS

The Electric Works campus first became a center of industrial innovation in 1883. Early entrepreneurs were experimenting with electricity when the Fort Wayne Jenney Electric Light Company was founded by visionary Ranald T. McDonald and inventor James Jenney. Around the turn of the century, Thomas Edison’s fledgling General Electric Co. acquired the business and got busy. At its peak in 1944, the height of WWII, GE employed about a third of Fort Wayne’s workforce. For more than eight decades, the campus churned out electric motors, electrical transformers, and more electronic wonders.

In 2015, GE closed the campus to stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace. For more than five years, 39 acres, eighteen historic buildings, and more than 1.2 million square feet of space in the heart of Fort Wayne sat vacant, waiting for the chance to be reborn and to generate new experiences and new ideas. In 2017, RTM Ventures acquired the property and crafted a plan with the community for a mixed-use development that would become Electric Works.

Ancora, of RTM Ventures, is the master developer of Electric Works. With a strategic focus on urban redevelopment and a commitment to community revitalization, the principals of RTM Ventures have developed over $1 billion of real estate in Indiana and across the United States. The principals each bring a unique and extensive track record in sophisticated capital structures, public/private partnerships, brownfield redevelopment, historic adaptive reuse, as well as the application of federal, state, and local tax credit and economic development incentive programs. The name RTM Ventures honors Ranald T. McDonald, the early entrepreneur who first launched the Fort Wayne Jenney Electric Light Co. in the late 1800s.

Today, Electric Works’s adaptive re-use of the 700,000 square foot campus includes a range of office spaces, a high school, healthtech innovation center, food hall, health clinic, numerous public spaces hosting a range of events, and soon apartments and a childcare facility. Electric Works serves as the heart of innovation, collaboration, programming and cultural change for Northeast Indiana.

ABOUT THE APPRENTICE PROGRAM

The Electric Works Mural Apprentice Program is meant to offer aspiring artists an opportunity to garner valuable experience installing large-scale murals. This is an excellent resume builder for an aspiring muralist! Volunteer apprentices will be paired with the experienced muralist(s) and asked to help assist in the mural installation during the month of September in 2025.

Depending on the muralist’s assessment of the apprentice's skill-set, apprentices may be asked to paint, help set up, assist in various on-site tasks, and participate in mural related events. This is a volunteer opportunity for artists of all abilities aged 18 or older. Some experience with painting and/or spray painting is encouraged, but not required.

Learn how to scale a design to fit a building, learn about different mediums, and expand your artist-network!

ELIGIBILITY

Only individuals who reside in Allen County or a residing county are eligible to apply for the Mural Apprentice Program. Apprentices need to provide their own transport. We understand that work and life may impact an apprentice’s ability to commit to volunteering; Apprentices are not required to be on site at all times but are asked to make a best effort to help the artist as frequently as they are able. Apprentices will sign an indemnification agreement, a hold harmless waiver, and a photo release waiver.

Deadline to apply: June 1, 2025
- Applicant(s) must be willing to sign an indemnification agreement, a hold harmless waiver, and a photo release waiver;
- Applicant(s) must be 18 or older;
- Applicant(s) must be based in Fort Wayne, IN or the surrounding community;
- Applicant(s) must be willing to participate in a dedication ceremony, interviews, mural-related events, and volunteer at the mural site.
Questions about this project should be directed to Alex Hall.

email: AHPSConsulting@gmail.com
Apprentice Application Checklist

Applications that do not include the below mandatory information will be rejected without further consideration. Applications must be received on or before the due date and time specified in this solicitation.
1. Applicant Contact Information: Please provide applicant name, mailing address, email address, and phone number
2. (optional) Applicant Website/Social Media Link(s): An outline of the artist’s background and experience with examples of work done by the artist.
3. Three Previous Work Images: Please share three relevant work samples, including title, dimensions, medium, and completion date. These do not need to be public art; this can include work in any medium that was executed by the applicant.
4. One Professional References: Please share the name and contact information for a professional reference.
5. Professional Headshot
6. Tee Shirt Size
7. A Brief Statement: State in 200 words or less why you are interested in participating in this project.
1.) Applicant Contact Information
Applicant Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Applicant Email*
example@example.com
Applicant Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
2.) Applicant Website or Social Media Handle(s)
Please share your website/social link(s):
*OPTIONAL*
3.) Three Previous Work Examples

These images will help the artist and the committee understand your skills.
Please Upload an Example of Your Public Artwork or RELEVANT Studio Work *

Image should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include image description: your name, medium & size; (ex. 'JaneDoe_spraypaint_50x69ft')
Cancelof
Please Upload an Example of Your Public Artwork or RELEVANT Studio Work *

Image should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include image description: your name, medium & size; (ex. 'JaneDoe_spraypaint_50x69ft')
Cancelof
Please Upload an Example of Your Public Artwork or RELEVANT Studio Work *

Image should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include image description: your name, medium & size; (ex. 'JaneDoe_spraypaint_50x69ft')
Cancelof
4.) Please Share a Professional Reference

Please be sure that the contact information for your reference is accurate.
Reference Name and Contact *

FULL NAMETITLE
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
5.) Professional Headshot

Please be sure that this is a photo of only the applicant.
Applicant's professional headshot *

Cancelof
6.) Applicant's Tee Shirt Size
Please indicate applicant's tee shirt size (standard unisex size chart):*
7.) Applicant's Statement of Interest
In 200 words or less, please share why you are interested in participating in this project. *
Please let us know a little bit about you. Are you from the area? Are you pursuing a career in the arts? Please tell us why you want to get involved in this BIG project in Fort Wayne!
PLEASE VERIFY YOUR ELIGIBILITY*

Applicant is 18 years old or older, or has a guardian's permission to participate;If selected, applicant(s) must be willing to sign an indemnification agreement, a hold harmless waiver, and a photo release waiver;If selected, applicant(s) must be able to travel to Electric Works to help install the mural in September of 2025;If selected, applicant(s) must be wiling to participate in a dedication ceremony, interviews, and/or participate in mural-related events;Applicant verifies that they have read the program description, and they are submitting their qualifications for consideration for the Electric Works Parking Garage Mural Apprentice opportunity.
Please verify that you are a real person. *
Should be Empty:

ELECTRIC WORKS GARAGE MURAL

Apprentice Application Checklist

1.) Applicant Contact Information

2.) Applicant Website or Social Media Handle(s)

3.) Three Previous Work Examples

4.) Please Share a Professional Reference

5.) Professional Headshot

6.) Applicant's Tee Shirt Size

7.) Applicant's Statement of Interest