40 North and the Urbana Arts & Culture Program invite muralists to submit an application to develop a mural on the east wall of 115 W. Main, facing the parking deck in downtown Urbana. Submissions must be received by 11:59pm on Monday, February 9.
The mission of the Urbana Arts & Culture Program is to celebrate Urbana's artistic and cultural diversity.
Application Requirements:
Artists are responsible for the entire mural execution and associated costs, including but not limited to: renting the necessary 60 ft. telescoping boom lift, all paint and materials, as well as hiring and paying assistants if needed. All applicants will be notified by email of the final artist selection. The selected artist will develop a mural design and work with 40 North and Urbana Arts & Culture Program to approve a final layout and establish a timeline for completing the mural.
The selected artist will be compensated in two installments. The first payment, paid upon contract, will include the design fee, and cost to cover project mobilization and materials. The second payment will pay the balance of the fee upon final acceptance of the mural installation. The mural will have an overall budget of $50,000. This budget must cover all expenses and the selected artist will be responsible for facilitating all expenses.
To be considered, applicants must include the following:
- Small portfolio (5-8 images) of past mural works (preferred) or non-mural works most similar to the project.
- For each artwork, please provide title, media, dimensions, year produced, budget, and location.
- Artist statement: including biography, website, and/or social media
- Submit a preliminary budget- be sure to include any equipment rentals, materials, assistant fees (if any) and any other expenses.
LOCATION
The mural will be located on a wall adjacent to the top deck of the Urbana parking garage at the corner of Main Street and Broadway Avenue in downtown Urbana (approximately 2,400 square feet). The completion of a mural in this location will require comfortability with working at extreme heights and operating a 60ft telescoping boom lift.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Artistic excellence and originality
- Artist’s experience with public or large-scale mural(s)
- Artist’s ability to produce work that speaks to the identity of Urbana, Illinois
- Artist's ability to meet overall project budget requirements
- Artists's ability to complete the project by end of install period
PROJECT TIMELINE
- November 2025: Call for Portfolios Opens
- February 9, 2026: Application Closes
- Week of February 16, 2026: Jury Review
- Late February: Select Artists Notification for initial mural design
- April 2026: Artist begin murals
- May 2026: Mural completed
If you have questions, please contact 40 North at:
Phone: 217.351.9841
Email: kwhite@40north.org