Timeline
Application Opens – Monday April 1
Application Closes – Friday April 18 @ 5PM (applications after the deadline will not be accepted)
Selection Committee – April 21
Artists Notified by – April 25
Artist Agreements Signed Including Required Documents by – May 2
Mural Designs Completed for approval – May 16
Muralist Welcome Meet-n-Greet – TBD
Begin Painting – May 24 – June 7 (All artists MUST begin painting by Monday June 2)
Artist Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated and selected by the Midvale City Mural Festival Selection Committee. The Committee is comprised of a representative of Craft Lake City, and staff from the RDA, Community Development, and Administrative Services teams at Midvale City. Experienced artists who show an ability to achieve the goals and objectives of the Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival will be selected. All applicants will be notified of acceptance by April 25, 2025. The Committee reserves the right to deny any proposal. Applications will be reviewed on the following criteria:
Artists or artist teams will be strongly considered if their artwork examples and portfolio:
- Reflects the diversity and character of the Midvale Main Arts and Culture District.
- Adds to the vibrancy of Midvale Main and a sense of place.
- Adheres to the Midvale City Public Art guidelines and is not deemed an advertisement (see below).
- Display work that shows an appropriate level of cultural sensitivity and respect for others.
Artists or artist teams will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Artistic excellence, quality, skills, and the ability to develop a unique mural design.
- Overall professionalism, the ability to communicate ideas effectively, and application of mural materials.
- Willingness to communicate and collaborate with the RDA Staff and Business Owner to reach the best possible outcome.
- Artistic style is appropriate for the Midvale Main Arts and Culture District, community, visitors, and businesses.
- Experience and ability to complete the project within the required time limit.
Assigned mural location along Midvale Main will be at local shop, Farmer & Chemist (see image below). Artists will then be introduced with the property owner or business owner and an RDA staff member to approve final designs and coordinate installation.
THEME: Requested theme/style for mural is for a “Welcome to Midvale Main” type of sign as being a main entry to the street. Lettering artists will be the most likely best pairing to this business. (see examples below wall image)
Wall:
Examples:
Midvale City Public Art Guidelines
A “mural” is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall or other permanent surface. Murals are intended to deter graffiti vandalism and enhance the community. Midvale City supports this endeavor and has created the following criteria to ensure consistency and appropriate results:
- Murals are encouraged to be located on wall surfaces having a history of graffiti vandalism or propensity for graffiti vandalism.
- The mural work shall be of exceptional quality and provide enduring value to the City. The work shall be relevant to the site or City, its values, culture and/or people. It shall enhance the aesthetic experience within the City.
- The mural’s visual imagery shall be appropriate for all audiences. The imagery shall not reflect partisan politics, contain sexual or religious content, or express a commercial aspect through use of logos, slogans, or other advertising messages.
- The mural shall be designed for all viewpoints, i.e., pedestrians, moving vehicles, seated audiences, etc.
- Wall surfaces used shall be suitable to receive the proposed mural materials and enable technical detailing. Exposure to weathering elements shall be considered to minimize fading and damage to the mural. Appropriate measures shall be taken to prepare wall surfaces before mural work commences.
This call is open to mural artists and artist teams ages 18 and up. Artists must be available to paint their murals between May 24, 2025 and June 7, 2025. All artists are required to begin painting no later than June 2, 2025, and must complete their mural by June 7, 2025. Artists must communicate to both RDA staff and the property or business owner on a start date. Artists (or a member of each artist team) are expected to attend the Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival to finish the mural and engage with festival attendees.
Eligible Costs
The RDA will require a site visit from the artist/artist team to assess possible, necessary equipment rental. Once preferred equipment type is selected the RDA will be responsible for acquiring equipment and covering rental fees.
STIPEND: The RDA will award a stipend of up to $4,500 to each commissioned mural artist or team of artists who are US, Mexico, or Canadian citizens, and up to $4,500 in reimbursements for NON-US, Mexico, Canadian citizens. Stipend and reimbursement amounts are dependent on the size of the wall. This amount will cover artist’s fees and expenses for design, supplies, equipment rental (excluding equipment provided by the Agency), insurance, and installation.
OTHER EXPENSES COVERED: The cost of lifts, ladders or scaffolding will be covered at the RDA’s expense. The RDA will require a site visit from the artist/artist team to assess possible, necessary equipment rental. Once preferred equipment type is selected the RDA will be responsible for acquiring equipment and covering rental fees.
WALL PREP: The RDA will work with a contractor to power wash and prep the walls before a mural is installed.
ANTIGRAFFITI COATING: Murals selected by the Agency to require anti-graffiti coating shall be provided the material by the Agency and applied by Artist upon completion of a Mural. Artist will be notified if the assigned wall is required to be coated with the anti-graffiti material. The Agency will pay an additional $150 to the Artist for the application of the anti-graffiti coating if such cost is included in a completed invoice submitted to the Agency.
TRAVEL EXPENSES: For artists who live outside the Wasatch Front, an additional per diem in the amount of $150 per day will be provided for lodging, food, and transportation within Midvale City for up to six (6) nights and seven (7) days during the installation period. Additionally, for those artists who are located outside the state of Utah, including artists from Canada and Mexico, the Agency shall provide the sum of $350 to subsidize Artist’s travel costs.
**Mural artists who are citizens of Mexico or Canada may be eligible for compensation under the terms of the United States - Mexico Income Tax Convention (Article 18, Section 3) and the United States - Canada Income Tax Convention (Article XVI, Section 1).
Under the United States - Mexico Income Tax Convention, income derived by a resident of Mexico as an entertainer or athlete is exempt from tax by the United States if the visit to the United States is substantially supported by public funds of Mexico or a political subdivision or local authority thereof.
Under the United States - Canada Income Tax Convention, income derived by a resident of Canada from personal activities as an entertainer or athlete exercised in the United States may be taxed in the United States, except where the amount of the gross receipts derived by the entertainer or athlete from such activities does not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) in the currency of the United States for the calendar year concerned.
These eligible international artists may receive an additional reimbursable per diem in the amount of $150 per day will be provided for lodging, food, and transportation within Midvale City for up to six nights and seven days during the installation period described in Section 2 of the Artist Agreement.
In order to process the payments, the Artist must provide a completed IRS form 8233 and a detailed invoice to the RDA after the execution of this Agreement. The invoice must include the purchase price of the Mural, any approved per diem amount, and the anti-graffiti coating application fee as required (if selected by the RDA or “Agency” in its sole discretion). For per diem amounts, the Artist must include verification for per diem approval. The Agency will pay the Artist within 30 days after it receives and approves an invoice.
Artist Agreements
Selected artists will be required to enter into an artist agreement with the RDA that outlines the scope of work before, during and after the festival. Agreements must be signed and returned, including all required documents, by May 2, 2025.
For more information, please contact RDA staff at RDA@midvaleut.gov
