CALL FOR ART: Ward 9 MURAL FOR THE SACKETT ST SCHOOL GYM

Summary

The City of Providence Department of Art Culture and Tourism (ACT), Sackett St School and Ward 9 City Councilor Juan Pichardo invite a muralist to create murals in the Sackett St School/Rec Center Gym.

The awarded finalist will be engaged in summer 2026 with contracting taking place in early June 2026 and the completion of the mural taking place in early July 2026. The total budget for this project is $16,900 with $900 reserved for semifinalist design commissions (3 artists/$300 per semifinalist). The awarded finalist will receive $16,000 for artist fees and materials.

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Project Goals

The project sponsors seek work that will result in an inspiring, large-scale mural for an elementary school recreation center that embodies the core values of:

• Determination
• Growth
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Fun
• Community

SOME IDEAS ON HOW ARTISTS MAY ACCOMPLISH THIS VISION:

The Sky (Vision & Leadership)

• The Eagle: A powerful bald eagle soaring upward with wings fully extended. It represents vision and the courage to aim high.
• The Flock: Behind the eagle, a flock of birds flying in formation. This illustrates teamwork and the idea that a strong leader guides the community toward a shared goal.

The Horizon (Local Identity)

• The Wave: A prominent, stylized “Rhode Island Wave” acts as the natural divider between the two worlds.
• Local Landmark: Subtly integrate a playful nod to the nearby RIPTA HQ or a recognizable RI coastline marker to root the mural in the local community.

The Sea (Strength & Growth)

• The Shark: A sleek shark in upward motion, perhaps breaching the surface. It represents strength, agility, and determination.
• The School of Fish: Beneath the shark, a colorful school of fish follows a “Teacher Fish” (perhaps wearing whimsical glasses or a mortarboard). This symbolizes growth, mentorship, and the joy of learning.

Artistic Style

• Movement: Every element should feel in motion, rising or moving forward to symbolize progress.
• Vibrancy: Use a bright, energetic color palette suitable for an elementary gym to promote a sense of fun.
• Unity: Despite the division of air and water, the mural should feel like one cohesive ecosystem, reflecting a diverse but unified community.

Location and Siting

This mural will be indoors in the gym at 159 Sackett Street, Providence, RI 02907. The mural will be painted on painted cinder block. The dimensions of the wall is approximately 18.5ft high x 15ft wide.

Located in Providence’s Historic Elmwood neighborhood, Sackett Street School is a k-5 school that offers ESL in an integrated setting, a bilingual/dual language program, and special education programming. Afterschool programming is offered through the Providence Recreation Department.

Project Budget

The total project budget for this installation is $16,000, inclusive of artist fees, design costs, materials, equipment, and installation. The awarded artist or artist team will receive a total of $16,000 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 muralists and 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 as additionally insured.
• 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 March 16, 2026.  Applicants must apply online through ACT here: Application for MURAL FOR THE SACKETT ST SCHOOL GYM – Art, Culture and Tourism.

Round One: Selecting Semifinalists

In March 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 April 2026 with a deadline for the final proposed design on May 15, 2026. For this method of selection, each finalist will be paid a $300 stipend to develop a visual rendering for the proposed mural on the wall, 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 President Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo for the ultimate decision. The Department of Art, Culture and Tourism will announce the commissioned artist no later than early June with the final installation taking place by Summer 2026.

Art Selection Panel

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

• Sackett St School Representative
• Sackett St Rec Representative
• ACT Staff
• Artist
• Councilor Juan Pichardo 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
    • Ability to paint works with recognizable symbolism, especially as relates to nature

    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 mural in coordination with the Sackett St School + Rec community and City administration.
  • Materials must be durable and weather-resistant.
  • 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 mural 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.

  Project Schedule

  Call to artists opens	Feb 9, 2026
  Application deadline	March 16, 2026
  Semifinalist contracting	April 17, 2026
  Full proposals due	May 15, 2026
  Finalist and alternate confirmed	Early June 2026
  Awarded artist contracting	Mid June 2026
  Mural installation	Summer 2026

To apply