Introduction:
The Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority in partnership with the Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) is seeking a mural artist to design and install a publicly viewable mural on a private building exterior located at 109 E. King Street Hillsborough, NC 27278. The mural will be located on the east elevation facing a public alley. This mural is intended to capture the rich history of Hillsborough as well as the News of Orange, a local newspaper publication that has been in production since 1893.
Background:
Funding for the project is provided by the Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority in support of the Hillsborough Tourism Program, as well as the OCAC. The goal of the Tourism Program is to make Hillsborough the premier North Carolina tourist destination. The focus areas of Hillsborough tourism are outdoor recreation, history & historic sites, food and beverage, and the arts and entertainment industry. Murals achieve tourism and economic development goals by improving the built and natural environment for residents and visitors and they help to keep visitors returning year after year to see what new things have been added to see and do.
Project Specifications:
The Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority and OCAC seek an artist to design and install an exterior painted wall mural. The project must adhere to the following specifications:
- Mural must completely fill the space area shown in the wall mural area example below.
- Design(s) should contain interesting and relevant thematic elements relating to newspapers, publishing, and/or Hillsborough historic events and artist should be able to produce design(s) that can be digitally portrayed on the building via a graphic representation or rendering for approval purposes by project partners.
- Based on past work samples, three finalists will be selected for the project. Each finalist will receive a stipend to create a proposal for the final project. The selected artist will work with the review committee to finalize the proposal.
- Paint used should be high quality, exterior grade rated for long term outside suitability and durability.
- The wall mural will be maintained by the artist for a minimum period of three (3) years. This includes any issues pertaining the longevity and/or premature aging of materials used as well as minor damage and/or vandalism.
- Artist should be able to design and install the mural within one hundred and twenty (120) days of accepting the project.
- The wall where the mural is proposed is presumed to be a painted stucco. Artist is responsible for any work required in order to prepare the wall for the mural installation.
Information about the Site and Immediate Surroundings:
The wall where the mural is located is outdoors and the artist will need to account for temperature and weather events in planning for the painting of the mural. The wall is adjacent to an alley with pedestrian and motorist traffic. Motorist traffic can be deferred while the artist is working for safety, at the discretion of the artist, and is to be coordinated with the Town. The wall is presumed to be a painted stucco material and may have some texture to it. Artists wishing to be considered are encouraged to visit the site and examine the wall before applying to ensure they can work with the material. Wall is approximately 55’ long and 14’ tall at the street with a step down to 10’ tall and another step down to 8’ tall at the rear. There are two windows and a door. The wall includes a small addition on the rear adjacent to the door.
Budget and Submittal Requirements:
Funding for finalists’ stipends is provided by Orange County Arts Commission. Three (3) finalists will be selected by the panel and asked to create a preliminary design for the mural for a fee of $325.00. A final artist and design will be selected from the three finalists.
Funding for the wall mural project is provided by the Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority via a 3% occupancy tax on lodging within town limits.
The budget for the wall mural project is $6,000.00 and is inclusive of all artist fees, supplies, associated expenses for design, meetings, fabrication, insurance, transportation, consultation, and installation. The artist may invoice for fifty (50%) percent of the total project cost of $3,000.00 upon approval of the design by the project review panel and before installation to cover the cost of supplies for the installation of the project. The remainder of the project funds can be invoiced at project completion and will be payable net 30 days.
The selected artist(s) will be required to meet the following insurance requirements:
- Commercial or Umbrella General Liability: $1,000,000/$2,000,000 per accident
- Workers’ Compensation: Required if contracted artist has employees; statutory coverage as required by the State of North Carolina. Waiver is acceptable for a Sole Proprietor.
- A certificate of insurance for liability coverage, naming the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County Government as additional insured, will be required.
Artists needing insurance assistance or coverage may contact any local insurance brokerage service or the Orange County Arts Commission (kmurray@orangecountync.gov) for guidance on how to obtain a policy. Artists can expect to spend approximately $475 for a one-year General Liability policy, or approximately $40/month for a short-term policy.
The final selected artist will receive and need to execute a contract for design, fabrication, installation and maintenance services from the Town of Hillsborough TDA. The artist shall retain copyright of their design, but must allow the Town of Hillsborough, Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority, Orange County Arts Commission, and News of Orange permission to use images of the wall mural for educational and promotional purposes.
Selection Process:
A project review panel will evaluate submitted work samples and applications and will select three (3) finalists to create proposals for consideration. The panel will consider the finalists design and choose one (1) final artist to to install the wall mural. The review panel consists of the following individuals:
- Matt Hughes, Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority Board Member
- Stephanie Trueblood, Town of Hillsborough Public Space Manager
- Dale Edwards, Editor of the News of Orange
- Bill Whitmore, Hillsborough Arts Council
- Katie Murray, Orange County Arts Commission Director
Artist Selection Considerations:
The project is open to artists age 18 and over, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, religion, political affiliation or beliefs, national origin, or abilities. Priority will be given to artists residing in Orange County, North Carolina.
Additional considerations:
- Complete application should be submitted prior to the application deadline.
- Artist is requested to provide a brief letter of interest outlining why they’d like to do the project.
- Artwork examples submitted represent the artist’s own original creative work. Previous painted mural work examples are helpful.
- The artist’s work reflects artistic excellence, innovation and originality, as evidenced by professional quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills, techniques; professional approaches to processes and presentation, and/or communication of a unique vision or perspective.
- The artist’s work is judged to be appropriate to the goals of the project.
- The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project.
- The artist is available to participate in the design, approval and implementation of the project as required, as well as promotional efforts possibly including photos and interviews with local media.
- Assessed ability to meet project deadlines and to perform work in a timely and professional manner.
- Results of reference checks for selected artist.
Timeline:
April 29, 2021: Applications open
May 26, 2021: Final Applications Due
June 9, 2021: Finalists selected
July 16, 2021 : Finalist proposals due to selection committee
July 30, 2021: Selected Artist Announced; Contract Signed
August 2021: Mural designed, finalized, taken to Historic District Commission for permitting
September-October 2021: Installation of Mural
To Apply:
Submit an online application here.
Have additional questions about the application process? Contact Katie Murray, Executive Director Orange County Arts Commission at (919) 245-2335 or email at kmurray@orangecountync.gov
Have additional questions about the mural project in general? Contact Shannan Campbell, Economic Development Planner at (919) 296-9477 or email at Shannan.Campbell@HillsboroughNC.gov