Cedar Rapids, Advocates for Social Justice seek artists for downtown mural

CEDAR RAPIDS — The city of Cedar Rapids and the Advocates for Social Justice are seeking local artists to create a mural on a downtown parking ramp that represents the community’s diversity and highlights social and racial justice.

Artists may submit qualifications to be considered for the mural by Aug. 9.

The mural will go on the Five Seasons Parking Ramp, 400 First Ave. NE, facing the Fourth Street and First Avenue NE intersection.

The ramp offers approximately 2,772 square-feet of vertical space for the mural.

Applications are encouraged from artists with a wide variety of artistic styles and backgrounds and ones with work that aligns with racial justice themes.

Interested artists should submit their biography, a brief explanation of their interest in the mural, and their qualifications, including samples of previous work similar in scale and medium (large murals or paintings).

A selection committee will choose top candidates Aug. 13 and invite those finalists to submit site-specific proposals, due Sept. 7.

A final artist will be chosen by mid-September. Mural installation will start this fall or in spring 2022, based on the selected artist’s schedule.

The artist may use $30,000 in funding and will be responsible for purchasing all materials and equipment. Half of the payment would be issued at the beginning of the project, and the second half upon completion.

Details are available at cityofcr.com/vac.

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com