Call to Artists: Zone 15 Mural Project

This is an exciting opportunity for artists to engage with the community and contribute to the cultural landscape of Zone 15. Beyond the artistic rewards, these murals will play a role in transforming public spaces, sparking conversation, and bringing people together. As the murals will be in prominent locations, they will serve as landmarks, community gathering points, and sources of local pride for years to come.

Call for Artists

This Call for Artists invites creatives to make a lasting impact by designing vibrant murals that reflect the unique identity and culture of Zone 15, encompassing the neighborhoods of Lincoln Heights, Lockland, Woodlawn, and Wyoming. The initiative is proudly sponsored by the Wyoming Art Show and Wyoming Community In Action, with generous support from Zone 15 administrations and local representatives, whose collaboration and thoughtful input helped bring this project to life.

Details for 2026 Murals:

The Zone 15 Mural Project is seeking talented artists to submit proposals for up to two murals to be completed in 2026, with additional murals planned for 2027. The murals will be located in high-traffic public spaces, ensuring that the artwork will be accessible to a broad audience and help foster a sense of pride and connection within the communities.

This location offers a dynamic space for a mural that can become a focal point of the community, where locals and visitors alike can interact with art in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Estimated cost: $4,000-9,000

Location 2:
TBD – Currently investigating potential mural sites in Lockland, Lincoln Heights, and Woodlawn

Themes for the Murals

The murals created through this project should reflect the rich history, cultural diversity, and forward-thinking spirit of the Zone 15 communities. Artists are encouraged to explore the theme of ‘LOVE LIVES HERE’ – to represent who the residents of Zone 15 are, where we live, and what we aspire to as a larger community.

Submission Requirements

Artists who wish to participate in the competition must submit a comprehensive proposal that includes both creative and logistical elements. The submission package should include:

●Design Proposal: ○ Visual Submission – A detailed, clear representation of the proposed mural design, showing how the artist plans to interpret the chosen theme of ‘LOVE LIVES HERE.’

●Artist(s) Statement & Relevant Work Experience:
○ A brief explanation of the concept behind the design and how it connects to the theme. This should include an explanation of the intended style of the work (e.g., abstract, photo-realistic, stylized, etc.) and the medium (e.g., hand-painted, spray-painted, collage, etc.)
○ A narrative outlining the artist’s background, creative journey, and evolution as an artist. This should provide insight into the artist’s artistic philosophy and what motivates their work.
○ Artists should also explain their experience and proficiency with the techniques and materials they plan to use, and/or resources they intend to employ to demonstrate competency to complete the project.
○ Provide images and descriptions of past work for reference, if applicable.

● Proposed Cost:
○ Artists should include a breakdown of the expected costs and timeline for completing the mural (materials, labor, equipment, and tools, etc.). This will help the committee assess the feasibility and scope of the project.

Original Work

All submissions must be original to be considered. Plagiarized or derivative work will not be accepted, ensuring that the murals represent fresh, creative contributions to the community.

Notice of Insurance

The Zone 15 Mural Project shall ensure that all artists, contractors and employees engaged in the installation of the mural have obtained liability insurance that protect the artist, its subcontractors, the owner, the Village of Wyoming, (Woodlawn, Lincoln Heights or Lockland as appropriate) and its officers, agents and employees from and any and all claims, demands, actions and suits for damage to property and personal injury, including death, arising from the installation of the mural under this agreement. The insurance coverage must have a commercial general liability limit of 1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage and the minimum general aggregate shall be $2,000,000 and such insurance must be in full effect at all times that the mural is being installed. If any volunteers perform any work on the mural, The Artist shall obtain liability waivers from such volunteers prior to the work being done on the mural. The Artist must provide insurance paperwork to specifications; if not, the insurance can be purchased by the Zone 15 Mural Project and deducted from the artist’s fee.

Submission Instructions

● To submit – fill out this Google Form and upload all your components.

●File types to be PDF, PNG, or high-resolution JPEG.

● Files naming to include artist name and file content.
Examples:
Lastname.Firstname.ProposalImage1.jpg
Lastname.Firstname.ArtistNarrative.pdf
Lastname.Firstname.ReferenceWork.png

Application Deadlines and Timeline

The timeline for the competition and installation of the murals is as follows:
● Application Deadline: May 18th, 2026
All submissions must be received by this date. Artists should ensure that their proposals are complete, including both the visual and written components.
● Finalist Interviews: May 30th, 2026
● Winners Announced: no later than June 12th, 2026
● Work Completion: Phase 1: Summer/Fall 2026
The selected artists will begin work on the initial two murals over the summer and fall of 2026. They will be expected to complete the mural installations during this timeframe.

Awards & Compensation

Each winning artist will receive compensation for the execution of the mural as determined by the application and approval process for each individual mural site. This funding is intended to support both the creative process and the physical effort involved in the installation of the mural.

Additional Information

Local Zone 15 artists are preferred but all Cincinnati area artists are highly encouraged to apply. Design proposals may be submitted by a team of artists with a designated project coordinator. Compensation will be split among the team as the artists see fit.

Artists of all experience levels are encouraged to apply, as the competition is an opportunity to showcase both emerging and established talent. The Zone 15 Mural Project is about more than just paint on buildings—it’s about creating lasting connections, reflecting the community’s values, and leaving a tangible legacy through art.

Questions can be directed to the Mural Committee by email at wcia.outreach@gmail.com.

Read the Memorandum of Understanding here.