Needham Center Chapel Street Mural Project

The Needham Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), on behalf of the Town of Needham, MA, has announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the second mural in the two-mural project begun in 2021. This mural, “Chapel Street Mural Project,” will be approximately 30’ long by 11’ high. The mural’s objective is to “educate, enliven and enrich the town with public art that connects and inspires the community” (NCAC FY22 Public Art Objectives).  The mural design should reflect Needham as a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant community. The NCAC would like to bring this professionally painted mural to Needham in the fall of 2024.

 Grant funding for this mural has been secured   through The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The NCAC will add additional funds received from the Town of Needham toward the completion of the mural. The Chapel Street Mural Project using ARPA funds is intended to provide work for a professional artist who may still be feeling the  impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The NCAC hopes that this mural will provide artists with professional opportunities and create a meaningful and lasting work of art for the community. 

 Location Description and Map:

The location of the mural will be in an alleyway on the side of a busy retail building located between Chapel Street and a commuter rail/commercial parking lot in the heart of downtown Needham. This location is adjacent to many thriving businesses and will be widely viewed. This work of art will be the first to be sited in this prominent business location which can be seen from the busy street and the parking lot and, of course, while traversing the alleyway. *See next page for map and pictures of location.

Design Requirements:

Arts and culture are powerful tools for communicating values, connecting neighborhoods, and inspiring a sense of unity for all who live, work, and visit. The NCAC expects that the artist, with community engagement, will create a mural that inspires, connects, and reflects the spirit of the people of Needham.

 The design may be representational or abstract but should be appropriate for Needham’s community setting and acceptable to a broad audience of all ages. The design cannot include logos, copyrighted or trademarked images, or be a form of signage or advertising in any way, other than non-copyrighted words or phrases that may be incorporated into the design. The approximate size of the wall for the mural project is 30 feet by 11 feet. It is important to note that the last few feet of the wall have pipes. Therefore, the whole wall space does not need to be used for the mural.  

2024 Timeline:

  Budget Information:

Selected finalists must submit an all-inclusive mural budget of up to $7,000. The budget may include but is not limited to artist design fees, supplies, equipment, equipment training costs, labor, liability insurance, travel costs, and police detail if needed. The artist design fee should not exceed 25% of the entire budget.

Eligibility Requirements:

 Applicants may only apply if they have been negatively affected financially due to the ongoing public health crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic. We understand that all artists have been impacted greatly by the pandemic, this affidavit is a requirement for the use of ARPA funding. Please click here for a copy of the affidavit which must be signed and submitted with your application. 

1. Applicants should have an interest in working with the Needham community. Priority will be given to applicants with a connection to the region. 
2. Applicants should have a relevant body of work with completed projects in similar size and scale.  Experience with installations of a comparable size is preferred. Ability to demonstrate understanding of large works and knowledge of durable materials and response to environmental conditions is necessary.
3. Applicants must have experience of being able to work within a budget.
4. Eligible applications must include a complete online application.
5. The Selection Committee will choose between 1-3 finalists, each paid $300 to submit an initial design.  Artists need to consider this a working design and demonstrate ability to adjust the design as needed. 
6. The finalist(s) must attend a community input session with key stakeholders hosted in collaboration with the NCAC.  Experience working with community stakeholders is preferred.  This input session is intended to share information about the history of Needham and the location of the mural as well as communicate understanding of the racial equity statement.  
7. A final design will then be due for review and final selection by the NCAC.
8. Upon NCAC selection the design must then be reviewed by a site location representative as well as the Town of Needham’s review boards including the Select Board, Design Review Board, and Town Counsel.
9. The selected finalist(s) will be required to enter into a contract with the Town of Needham, agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions included. 
10. The final mural installed must closely resemble the final designed submitted to and approved by NCAC.
11. All submitted proposals become the property of the Town of Needham. There is no guarantee of how long the artwork may remain in the location. 
12.  NCAC encourages creativity and innovation. Preference may be given to artists that display the ability to visualize the Town of Needham’s arts and cultural identity through history, heritage, or geography. 

Evaluation Criteria:

• Artistic quality demonstrated in application work samples and statements
• Ability to work within the approved budget
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders within the town
• Ability to think and work on a scale appropriate for outdoor public artwork
• Ability to convey community values and aspirations in completed artwork
• Ability to be flexible with design
• Ability to submit complete qualifications by the due date
• Ability to install mural by due date

 Selection Information:

The Selection Committee will have the final proposal reviewed by the Select Board, Design Review Board, Site Location Representative, and Town Counsel. 

 The selected finalist(s) with the winning design will be required to enter into an agreement with the Town of Needham and abide by the terms and conditions included. The final design installed must very closely resemble the art that is painted on the site.

 The Selection Committee will be composed of the NCAC’s Public Art Committee and three other community members, including   a visual artist, a business owner in downtown Needham, and a youth representative under the age of 18. 

 Submission Process:

Artists must complete the online application found here by August 5, 2024, 5 pm. The Selection Committee will review proposals and notify the finalist by August 8, 2024.  The three finalists will each receive a $300 honorarium upon submission of the final design proposal and proposed budget, as well as attendance at a community engagement session.  The NCAC reserves all rights to select or not select the final design proposal for installation.

 Technical Specification:

The mural will be painted directly on the painted wall and is subject to sun and prevailing wind and rain.  Artists must demonstrate a technical understanding of appropriate materials and installation guidelines for durability, longevity, and safety. The artist or artist team must work with appropriate parties to coordinate a safe installation plan. This may potentially include but is not limited to artist fees, supplies, equipment, labor, liability insurance, and police detail if needed. 

 Full wall approximately 30’ long and 11’ high

 Inquiry Contact:
Please send any questions about this project to needhamartsandculture@gmail.com by August 5, 2024.  

Reference Sites:

APPLICATION FORM

Affidavit Form - to be submitted with application

http://needhamma.gov/1111/Needham-Council-for-Arts-Culture

https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/needham/

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