Call for Artist Mural Project

The Town of Vernon, Connecticut, is soliciting qualified artists or artist teams to design and install a large-scale narrative mural at 1 Prospect Street in Rockville, a historic mill town turned Cultural District, under the theme “Threads of Community.” The project aims to create a visually compelling welcome sign that reflects the area’s rich industrial heritage, ongoing revitalization, and inclusive identity, engaging both residents and visitors. Artists must submit a single merged PDF containing a resume (max 2 pages), up to five digital images of prior work (max 1 MB each), conceptual sketches, a statement of intent (max 2 single-spaced pages), a detailed budget, and at least two professional references. The mural must be completed and installed by December 2026, with key milestones including proposal submission by July 15, 2026, finalist selection by July 31, interviews in August, and final design approval by August 31. The total project budget is fixed at $17,000, covering all artist fees, materials, insurance, and installation costs, with no option for additional funding. Evaluation is based on a point-driven system prioritizing thematic alignment and artistic quality with 30 points, followed by site-specific relevance and community impact with 20 points, and adherence to requirements, professionalism, timelines, and presentation with 10 points. A smaller 5-point category considers the artist’s local connection and safety of the design. While the solicitation encourages participation from minority, women, and small business enterprises, no formal certifications are required, nor are Unique Entity IDs or CAGE codes needed. Only finalists receiving a $200 stipend must submit a W-9 form for tax purposes. Proposals must be submitted exclusively via email to the project lead, Annie Geitner, by the deadline, with no physical submissions accepted. Ownership of the mural and all related materials transfers fully to the Cornerstone Foundation upon completion. The Town of Vernon retains authority over final selection and acceptance at the installation site, with no formal contracting officer or technical representative assigned, and no federal acquisition regulations or standardized clauses incorporated into the process.