Current Calls for Public Art

Envision Westminster!

Mural Design Competition

OVERVIEW

Through Maryland State Arts Council resources, the City of Westminster and Carroll County Arts Council are partnering to celebrate the stories, culture, and legacy of Westminster, MD through public art.

PURPOSE & OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the project is to empower Maryland artist, individuals, and organizations to help tell Westminster’s story through creative and impactful imagery.

The objectives of the project are to:
• Actively engage the community’s diverse group of artists and non-profit organizations through design.
• Promote engagement through interactive, educational, and/or cultural tourism opportunities represented in/by the art.
• Enhance the streetscape of downtown Westminster and expand the presence of public art in the community, attracting new visitors to the downtown area.

ELIGIBILITY

Once a mural is painted on an outdoor location it becomes public art. Thus, this is an incredible opportunity to have one’s art on display for all residents and visitors to enjoy.

Who May Apply
Independent Artist must be:
• An artist or collaborative group of artists not directly affiliated with a larger arts organization or program
• In the case of collaborative groups, 50% or more of the members must be Maryland residents.
• Maryland resident (i.e., owning or renting residential property in Maryland six months before the application’s submission and throughout the funded project) who is 18 years of age or older.
• Not enrolled in any matriculated high school, undergraduate or graduate degree program at the time of application and throughout the grant activities outlines in the application.
• Available to fully execute the proposed design.
• Nonprofit organization (i.e., an organization with an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) status) based in Maryland
• Nonprofit, Maryland-based fiscal sponsor organization applying on behalf of a Maryland-based group, project, or artist(s) with whom it has a Model A fiscal sponsorship agreement in place (i.e., comprehensive sponsorship, in which the assets, liabilities, and exempt activities collectively referred to as “the project” are housed within the fiscal sponsor)
• Unit of government (e.g., town, city, county, state, etc., with the capacity to undertake an arts program)
• College or university (i.e., an established higher education institution in Maryland) School (i.e., a public or private school serving students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12)
• Available to fully execute the proposed design.

GUIDELINES & RESOURCES

Site Location
The mural is to be executed on the concrete wall on the Southeast side of the Diffendal Parking Lot in downtown Westminster (the lot is located behind 54 E Main Street).
The wall consists of seven (7) framed sections each measuring 11’ wide by 8’ feet high, and one smaller section on the right side measuring 5’ wide and 8’ feet high. No part of the wall may be removed or altered as part of the installation.

Materials
The project’s materials should be limited to long-lasting paint appropriate for exterior use. No three-dimensional elements may be applied by adhesive or other bonding material.
The City will work with the artist to prepare the surface to ensure the mural will last a long time. This may include pressure washing and/or wall surface base painting. Once the painting is completed, the artist may sign his/her design.
After installation is complete, a special anti-graffiti coating must be applied by the artist to protect the design. This step will serve to safeguard the mural from vandalism, protecting the City and community at large.

Special Prohibitions
Because the site location is an active public parking lot, the following special prohibitions apply:
• No logos, slogans, or advertisements, either direct or indirect, may be incorporated into the mural design.
• No design element(s) that could potentially result in a pedestrian or driver of a vehicle interpreting the element(s) as directive may be incorporated into the mural design, e.g., traffic iconography or language.
• No design elements that are illusionary and that could cause a visual distraction or confusion to a pedestrian or driver of a vehicle.
• No highly reflective paints or other materials, such as fluorescent, mirror, metallic, may be incorporated into the mural design.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

SlideRoom
All applications are submitted via the secure, online application management system SlideRoom. Applicants must Log-In or create a free account at carrollcountyartscouncil.slideroom.com. When creating an organizational account, it is recommended that an organizational email be used rather than a personal email when applicable.
• Applicants are required to complete and submit their application by electronic means, including the use of an electronic signature.
• DEADLINE: Completed applications must be submitted via SlideRoom with all required attachments by the appropriate deadline: MAY 15, 2025