CALL FOR ART: Ward 14 RIPTA Bus Shelter Murals

Summary

The City of Providence Department of Art Culture and Tourism (ACT), the Art in City Life Commission, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and Ward 14 City Councilor Shelley Peterson invite a large-scale 2D public artist to create images on two of RIPTA’s bus shelters in the Elmhurst and Wanskuck neighborhoods.

The awarded finalist will be engaged in spring 2026 with contracting taking place in early April 2026 and the completion of the mural taking place in spring 2026. The total budget for this project is $10,000 with $900 reserved for semifinalist design commissions. The awarded finalist will receive $9,100 for artist fees and materials.

Questions about this call to artists must be submitted in writing by December 19, 2025. Write to Rebecca Noon, ACT Deputy Director at rnoon@providenceri.gov with the subject line “Ward 14 Bus Shelter Murals.” A FAQ will be provided by December 5, 2025.

Project Goals

The project sponsors seek work that will:

• Spark joy for Ward 14 residents.
• Deter unwanted mark-making.
• Act as a model for similar civic infrastructure projects in other neighborhoods.

Location and Siting

Stop: Douglas before River (#020180); Address: 901 Douglas Ave, Providence, RI 02908

Stop: Admiral after Sharon (#020020); Address: 770 Admiral St, Providence, RI 02908

The works will be adhered without heavy equipment on three large panels of perforated metal that may either be painted off-site or on-site depending on the selected artist’s access to studio space and scheduling, as well as on one plexiglass side panel. The dimensions of the three back panels together are approximately 11’ x 7’ and the side panel is an additional 2’ x 7’ – the approximate total surface to be designed on each shelter is 91 square feet. The artist will only create artwork on the street-side of the panels.

Project Budget

The total project budget for this installation is $10,000, inclusive of artist fees, design costs, materials, equipment, and installation. The awarded artist or artist team will receive a total of $9,100 to complete the project, inclusive of artist fees and materials. The artist may choose to allocate funds to supporting artists, assistants, interpreters, and/or to stipend community members in addition to the cost of doing business. The following breakdown serves as a guide:

Eligibility

• Lead applicants must be twenty-one (21) years or older and hold a current Rhode Island home or studio address to be eligible to apply. Providence residents are preferred.
• This call is open to large-scale 2D public artists and artist teams with a proven track record of creating works of similar scale.
• Awarded applicants must be able to procure a Certificate of Insurance (COI) for general liability in the amount of $1,000,000.00 that names the City of Providence and RIPTA as additionally insured.
• This call is open to large-scale 2D public artists only.
• This call is open to individual artists or artist teams.
• Applicants must have demonstrated experience with a portfolio consisting of at least one outdoor large-scale 2D public artwork.
• Preference will be given to artists who demonstrate cultural competency and previous experience working in and with diverse communities.
• Applicants who have received an ACT Public Art commission from the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism in the last two years are ineligible to apply.

Art Selection Method and Timeline

Artists will be selected through a competitive, two-tiered process. Qualified artists may submit their Artist Statement, Resume/CV, a cover letter and three to five examples of relevant past projects by January 12, 2026.  Applicants must apply online through ACT.

Round One: Selecting Semifinalists

In January 2026, The Art Selection Panel will review complete applications and score the submitted qualifications, limiting the selection pool to no more than three semifinalist artists or artist teams.

Round Two: Concept Design-Based Selection

The shortlisted semifinalists will then be contracted to create a site-specific Concept Design in early February 2026 with a deadline for the final proposed design on March 9, 2026. For this method of selection, each finalist will be paid a $300 stipend to develop a visual rendering for each RIPTA bus shelter, along with a written project description, a description of materials and fabrication techniques, an outline of expectations regarding site preparation and infrastructure needs, a detailed budget and timeline, and a detailed installation plan.

Recommendation

The Art Selection Panel will recommend awarded finalist and alternate to the Art in City Life Commission for approval at the March 26, 2026 regular meeting. The Department of Art, Culture and Tourism will announce the commissioned artist no later than March 27, 2026 with the final installation taking place by spring 2026.

Art Selection Panel
The Art Selection Panel will be composed of five members including:

• Art in City Life Commissioner
• RIPTA Representative
• ACT Staff
• Artist
• Councilor Shelly Peterson or designee

Selection Criteria

Semifinalists will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence and innovation, as evidenced by previous work
• Ability to manage budgets and complete projects on time, as evidenced by previous work

Awarded finalist artist or artist team will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Feasibility and strength of proposed budget and installation plan
• Quality of the artist’s design rendering

Artist Scope of Work

Upon award notification and acceptance, the artist shall sign a contract with the City for the activities outlined below:

• Participate in regularly scheduled check-ins with staff from the Department of Art Culture and Tourism, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Install the large-scale 2D public art in coordination with RIPTA and City administration.
  • Materials must be durable and weather-resistant. A protective coating is required for preservation and ease of maintenance.
  • The artist is responsible for preparing the painting surfaces prior to painting (cleaning, priming, etc.)
• Participate in an unveiling and dedication ceremony with the community at a date TBD.
• Provide the City with a maintenance plan.
• Following the installation, the artist is required to transfer the title for the large-scale 2D public artwork to the City. The City will reserve the right to maintain, restore, and de-commission the work within the stipulations of the contract with the artist.

To Apply:

Project Schedule