How do I go about donating a wall?
An owner of a residential building with four or more units, property used for commercial purposes or for public space can apply to participate in the MuralsDC program by contacting murals.dc@dc.gov, Nancee.lyons@dc.gov or by calling the DC Department of Public Works at 202-673-6833 and requesting an application. If your wall fits the criteria for the program, you will be required to sign an Authorization and Release form, which can be found at https://dpw.dc.gov/node/444382. If the wall to be painted abuts adjacent property, you will need to get that owner’s permission.
How does MuralsDC determine if my wall fits the criteria?
Once you have made your request and submitted a photo of your property, MuralsDC will visit your site and determine if it’s a fit based on a number of factors, including: the visibility of the wall by vehicular/pedestrian traffic, the size of the wall, the condition of the wall itself and the ability of the artist to access the wall.
Can I recommend someone else’s wall for a mural?
MuralsDC only accepts requests from the actual property owner as they are the only person who can agree to participate in the program. Locating the owner of commercial property is not always easy as he or she is not likely to be found at that location. If there is property in your neighborhood you think would make a great home for a mural, consider working with your local Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) or Business Interest District (BID) who may have a relationship or knows how to reach out to the owner. Simply providing the address of a building you would like to nominate is not sufficient for MuralsDC to move forward.
What is the property owner’s financial obligation?
MuralsDC is a free program and covers all cost for the development and installation of the mural. It does not fund the cost to repair a damaged wall or lights to illuminate the artwork. Any additional property enhancement would have to be funded by the property owner. MuralsDC funds are paid directly to the artist and is solely for the development of the artwork.
Once my site has been selected for a mural, what happens next?
When MuralsDC is considering a location for a mural, we attend the ANC meeting for that Single Member District (SMD) to announce the owner’s request. We also invite residents to provide input that may help the selected artist form design concepts, via an electronic survey form. Finally, we sit down with the property owner to discuss any ideas they have for a design and, occasionally, present them with a portfolio of artists from which they can choose.
Does the owner have a say in what the mural will look like?
Absolutely. The owner has the first and last word. MuralsDC will find out if the owner has any thoughts in mind in terms of what he or she would like to see on their wall. We encourage the owner to consider ideas that speak to their particular neighborhood, which the entire community can embrace.
What is the design process?
MuralsDC will provide the owner’s input and community feedback to the artist. The artist may want to also meet with the owner or speak with them over the phone to get a better idea of what type of mural the owner would like to see. Depending on the design, some artists may want to speak to additional people in connection with the property, but all artists will do additional research to ensure their design accurately reflects any historical or folklore information provided by the community and/or owner. Based on this information, the artist will then present up to three sketches from which the owner can select.
Can I have a logo included in the design?
No. MuralsDC is not designed to promote a business, although a mural will surely highlight its presence. There are also rules prohibiting public advertisements in many residential areas of the District. The best murals are those that uplift the surrounding community.
Does the community or its leaders have to approve the mural before it can be painted?
The property owner has full say in what is painted on his or her wall. It does not have to be approved by anyone in government or the community; however, a dissenting community leader can impact the process. The goal is to create a concept that is likely to be embraced by all.
When will the work begin?
Murals will be painted from July through September of each year. The work on your wall would typically begin as soon as the artist’s payment is processed (this can take anywhere from three to six weeks after a design has been approved) and when his or her schedule permits.
How long does it take to paint a mural?
A mural may take up to several weeks. The duration of the work is dependent on various factors including the size of the wall, the detail of the design, the artist’s schedule, the weather, and the type of equipment needed.
How is the mural painted?
Depending on the size of the wall, an artist will typically paint using ladders, scaffolding or a small lift truck that moves along the wall or a swing arm lift, which remains stationery in the parking lane. He or she may first begin by projecting the sketch on the wall and painting the outline of the mural. This will be done at night and will take several hours. The artist may have several artists or apprentices assisting him.
What if I don’t like the sketches the artist provides?
MuralsDC works with some of the nation’s most talented who work from concepts provided by the owner and/or the community and so most owners are pleased to see their ideas brought to life. However, the owner may ask for amendments to the final sketch he or she likes best. A final full-color sketch is presented to the owner prior to the work being executed.
How are artists selected for the program? Can I use my own artist?
MuralsDC issues a Call for Artists every spring in search of artists whose portfolios demonstrate extensive experience and artistic range creating large scale, outdoor projects on brick and concrete surfaces employing both aerosol spray paint and acrylic paint as a medium. We select a number of artists to be placed in reserve in the event they are selected by the owner. The artists who are selected are awarded grant funds that will cover the artist’s supplies, equipment, time and travel expenses, if necessary.
Does the owner get to choose the artist?
Depending on the project, the owner may be matched with an artist or allowed to pick from a portfolio of artists.
Can I provide my own design?
MuralsDC artists are hired for their creative insight and abilities. They do their best to interpret design concepts using their own unique vision and style. Working with MuralsDC is not like commissioning a work of art where the property owner pays the artist to paint exactly what is dictated.
How is the mural maintained after it is installed? What happens if it gets tagged?
Depending on the budget, MuralsDC will make every effort to remove any tagging for the life of the project; however, we advise owners to allow the program to apply a special graffiti-prevention coating. Regular maintenance on the property should be carried out by the owner per usual.
