REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS | 2026 Walls Between Waters Mural Festival

Walls Between Waters 2026 ARTSCAPES

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS | Mural Festival

About Essex County Land Bank

At the Essex County Land Bank, we are committed to revitalizing and transforming vacant, abandoned, and underutilized properties into valuable community assets. As an land bank administered by North Country Rural Development Coalition, our mission is to foster sustainable development, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for residents throughout Essex County.

About Walls Between Waters

In 2025 The Essex County Land Bank, in partnership with the North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC), worked with the community to install six mural projects in the Town of Ticonderoga. This program was funded and administered by the Essex County Land Bank in conjunction with state funding agencies and partners. This project coincided with the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) in Ticonderoga and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The 2025 artists were: Emily Ding, KEY DETAIL, ARCY, Justin Suarez aka Aerosol Kingdom, Tim Parsley, and Arlin Graff.

Essex County Land Bank and NRDC are seeking qualified artists for six more large-scale mural projects. The second Walls Between Waters will be held in downtown Ticonderoga in the first week of June 2026. The event finale will be on June 6, 2026.

Project Overview

During the Request for Qualifications, RFQ Phase, PHASE I, a review panel will evaluate initial responses according to the criteria outlined in the RFQ application. Artists or artist teams whose proposed qualifications demonstrate, in the review panel’s sole opinion, the qualifications that best fulfill the purposes of this RFQ will move to the finalist selection phase, PHASE II. In PHASE II artists will be hired to create proposal concepts based on specific themes. Those proposals will undergo a community jury review. The selected artist in PHASE II will be contracted to implement their mural concept in Ticonderoga in June of 2026.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicant(s) must be willing to sign an indemnification agreement, a hold harmless waiver, and a photo release waiver;
Applicant(s) must be prepared to provide proof of insurance;
Applicant(s) must be 18 or older;
Applicant(s) must be able to travel to the Town of Ticonderoga, NY to install the mural in late May and the first week of June 2026;
Applicant(s) must be able to provide tax documentation and be eligible to work in the USA in 2026;
Applicant(s) must be willing to participate in an Apprentice Program;
Applicant(s) must be willing to participate in a dedication ceremony, interviews, or conduct demonstrations/presentations.

NRDC and Essex County Land Bank are an equal opportunity employer.

Statement of Work

The scope of work for the selected artist or artist team may generally include, but not limited to, the following:

PHASE I RFQ Applicant:

Submit RFQ before the deadline (see project timeline below).

PHASE II finalists:

Enter into proposal contract with Essex County Land Bank.
Provide a fully rendered, in color, design proposal for the site by the deadline.
Prepare and present, as necessary, the design concept, timeline for installation, materials, and equipment needed.

PHASE III finalists:

Finalists will enter into contract with Essex County Land Bank.
Install the the mural within the contractually stated timeline.
Install the mural in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. The Artist or Team will work collaboratively with A H Public Spaces Consulting and Essex County Land Bank to ensure that the mural is installed correctly and in a timely manner.
Finalists may be asked to work with local volunteers and/or artists while implementing the mural.
Finalists will attend a dedication ceremony at the mural site.

Project Timeline*

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025	Phase I: RFQ release
NOVEMBER 1, 2025	Phase I: Deadline for RFQ submissions
NOVEMBER 2025	Phase I: Review RFQs and make finalist selections;
	Phase II Finalists selected and notified; Finalists signed into proposal contract; all applicants will be notified about the status of their application
FEBRUARY 2026	Phase II: Deadline for finalist(s) design proposals
MARCH 2026	Jury review of finalist(s) design proposals;
	Phase III Finalists selected and notified; Finalists signed into contract; all applicants will be notified about the status of their application
MAY – JUNE 6, 2026	Phase III: Walls Between Waters Mural Festival;
	Murals are installed.

*Dates may be changed due to inclement weather; Essex County Land Bank reserves the right to modify this schedule if necessary.

Questions about this project should be directed to Alex Hall.

email: AHPSConsulting@gmail.com

RFQ 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. Professional Resume (2 Page Limit): An outline of the primary artist’s background and experience with examples of work done by the primary artist(s); and a list of other individuals who will assist in the completion of the project, detailing their training, and relevant work experience.
3. Four Previous Work Images: Please share four relevant work samples, including location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date.
4. 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.
Optional: How did you find out about Walls Between Waters?
2.) Applicant Resume
Please share your professional website/social link(s):*
Please Upload Your Professional Resume*

File should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include your name
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3.) Four Previous Work Examples

Image should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include: artist name, image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date.; (ex. 'JaneDoe_Denver_spraypaint_50x69ft')
A) Please Upload an Example of Your Public Artwork *

Image should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include: artist name, image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date.; (ex. 'JaneDoe_Denver_spraypaint_50x69ft')
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A) Image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date:*
B) Please Upload an Example of Your Public Artwork *

Image should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include: artist name, image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date.; (ex. 'JaneDoe_Denver_spraypaint_50x69ft')
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B) Image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date:*
C) Please Upload an Example of Your Public Artwork *

Image should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include: artist name, image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date.; (ex. 'JaneDoe_Denver_spraypaint_50x69ft')
Cancelof
C) Image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date:*
D) Please Upload an Example of Your Public Artwork *

Image should not exceed 5MB; in the file name please include: artist name, image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date.; (ex. 'JaneDoe_Denver_spraypaint_50x69ft')
Cancelof
D) Image location, dimensions (approximate square footage), medium, and completion date:*
4.) 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, or tell us why you want to share your talent with Ticonderoga!! Are you based in the region? Have you visited the area before? Have you always wanted to visit?
PLEASE VERIFY YOUR ELIGIBILITY*

Applicant is 18 years old or older;If selected, applicant(s) must be willing to sign an indemnification agreement, a hold harmless waiver, and a photo release waiver; Applicant(s) should be prepared to provide proof of insurance;Applicant(s) verifies that the work submitted is representative of their work (or their team's work);If selected, applicant(s) must be able to travel to Ticonderoga, NY in June 2026 to participate in Walls Between Waters Mural Festival;Applicant(s) must be able to provide tax documentation and be eligible to work in the USA in 2026;If selected, applicant(s) must participate in the 6/6/2026 dedication ceremony, participate in interviews, and conduct demonstrations/presentations;Applicant(s) must be willing to participate in an Artist Apprentice Program (if applicant has questions about the Apprentice Program, we encourage applicant to ask BEFORE applying for Walls Between Waters);Applicant(s) verifies that they have read the prospectus and RFQ materials, and they are submitting their qualifications for consideration. Applicant is aware that they will be notified if they are selected to move on to Phase II of the selection process.
If applicant(s) is not a US citizen, applicant must be able to provide tax documentation and be eligible to work in the USA in 2026. Please provide the date of expiration on your US work visa.

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Applicant Signature

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Walls Between Waters 2026 ARTSCAPES

RFQ Application Checklist

1.) Applicant Contact Information

2.) Applicant Resume

3.) Four Previous Work Examples

4.) Applicant's Statement of Interest