CALL TO ARTISTS - Textile History Mural
Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
The City of Newton, North Carolina, invites artists to submit their portfolios for a significant public art project that will celebrate the forgotten and overlooked stories of the diverse men and women whose labor contributed to the success of Newton's historic textile mills. The mural will aim to create a sense of place that fosters community pride, boosts economic development, and ensures that Newton's citizens see themselves and their culture reflected in the public art around them.
Project Overview:
Location: North Newton, surrounded by the historical mills.
Mural Wall Dimensions: 91 ft long x 32 ft high.
Budget: Approximately $25,000 to include artist fees, equipment rentals, wall prep and materials.
Please see the images below for more information on the concept of the mural as well as the location.
Desire is to complete the mural by March 2024.
Project Objectives:
To tell the untold stories of the diverse men and women whose labor played a pivotal role in the textile mills' success.
To foster a sense of community pride by showcasing the rich cultural diversity and history of Newton's workforce.
To contribute to the economic development of the area by creating an iconic piece of public art that attracts visitors and promotes local tourism.
To represent and celebrate the local community by ensuring that the mural reflects the lives and experiences of Newton's citizens.
Eligibility: This call is open to all professional artists or artist teams with prior experience in creating large-scale murals or public art installations. Artists from all backgrounds, cultures, and artistic styles are encouraged to apply. Local artists are especially encouraged to participate and incorporate their unique insights into the project.
Submission Guidelines:
Interested artists must submit their Information below and upload a PDF of their portfolio of work by September 15th, 2023.
Portfolios should include high quality photos of prior mural work. Please include work that could be relevant to the topic of this mural and that represents the style of artwork you would like to execute for this project.
Selection Process:
The Newton Public Art Commission will review all portfolios and select two artists whose styles and previous work best meet the project's objectives.
The selected artists will be invited to create a specific design for the mural and will be paid a stipend of $500 for their design work.
The Newton Public Art Commission will review the designs and select the artist and design that best meets the project's objectives.
Timeline:
Call for Artists Announced: August 15, 2023
Submission Deadline: September 15, 2023
First Round Selection: September 30, 2023
Second Round Designs Submitted: October 30, 2023
Final Selection: November 15, 2023
Mural Creation: January thru March 2024
We look forward to receiving your creative proposals and working together to bring this vibrant and significant mural to life in Newton, NC. For any inquiries or clarifications, please contact africk@newtonnc.gov.
