Call Summary
Utah Museum of Fine Arts [UMFA] in partnership with Roots Art Kollective [RAK] is seeking qualified artists to design and install murals in the UMFA’s G. W. Anderson Family Great Hall. Artists and artist collectives are requested to apply by submitting a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to provide the services requested. The selected artists(s) will be chosen to create artwork that responds to a thematic prompt about community and/or local social issues. SOQs will be obtained from various artists to conduct a fair and extensive evaluation and to select the artists that can best achieve the goals and objectives of the selection committee.
Project Description
The selection committee will select up to three artists or artist collectives to create murals on the walls of the UMFA’s Great Hall. The UMFA will award a stipend of up to $4,000 to each commissioned artist or team of artists. Selected artists will:
The mural exhibition will remain on view for two to three years. During that time, it will serve as the centerpiece for many gatherings, contribute to curriculum building for K-University audiences, and inspire community discussion during private visits and public programming.
Artist Eligibility
This call is open to all Utah-based artists age 18 and up. It is open to all artists and/or artist-led teams residing in Utah regardless of race, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. To be considered, artists must have demonstrated experience accomplishing work of similar scope and scale. Artist teams are acceptable.
Selected artists agree to
Eligible Costs
Stipend awards shall be used only for costs related to the mural project, including artist’s fees and related expenses for design, supplies, equipment rental, insurance, transportation, accommodations, and installation. Scaffolding, floor protection, and funds for community engagement will be provided by the UMFA.
Timeline
Request for Qualifications Opens – June 1, 2021
Statement of Qualifications Deadline – July 1, 2021
Notification of Finalists– July 16, 2021
Mural Planning Session (virtual) – July 2021
Proposal Presentation – Aug 2021
Installation of Artwork – September 13–25, 2021
All dates, except the application deadline, are subject to change. All complete submissions postmarked, hand-delivered to the UMFA front desk, or received electronically on or before July 1, 2021, at 5:00 PM (MST) will be reviewed. Incomplete submissions and submissions received after the stated due date and time will not be reviewed.
SOQ Requirements
Statements of Qualification should reflect the artist’s experience and aptitude for mural work that centers on community and/or local social issues. While previous mural work is not required, artists with previous mural experience are encouraged to apply. Applications should include images of previous work that demonstrates the artist’s skills relevant to this project. Once selected, artists will work with the curatorial selection committee to develop a design proposal.
SOQ Format: Applications must be submitted in the required format so the selection committee may evaluate them in an objective manner. Entries that do not meet submission requirements will not be considered. Submissions may be sent by mail or emailed.
Digital submission
Hard copy submission:
Curatorial Department
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Marcia and John Price Museum Building
University of Utah
410 Campus Center Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0350
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed on the following criteria:
Applications will be juried by a selection committee comprised of Roots Art Kollective, key UMFA personnel, and local community partners including, but not limited to,
Artist Agreements
Each of the selected finalists will enter into a commissioned work agreement with the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Selected artists agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the University of Utah.
Contact Information
All questions regarding this Call for Artists may only be directed to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts staff at the email address listed below. All communication will occur electronically via email. No phone calls, please.
Whitney Tassie, Senior Curator
utahmuseumoffinearts@gmail.com