Request for Qualifications: 2026 Uptown Mural Project

Description

Project Summary
Main Street Marysville, a volunteer-led organization focused on preserving and enhancing the historic character and economic vitality of Uptown Marysville, Ohio, is inviting artists to submit a maximum of 10 digital images of up to five past projects for a mural to be prominently featured in Uptown Marysville. From the request for qualifications, no more than four semi-finalists will be selected to design site-specific artwork proposals that illustrate Marysville’s rich history and celebrate the city’s growth toward an exciting, vibrant future. The selected mural design will be painted on the exterior wall of a Union County administrative building located in Marysville’s historic Uptown.

Site History
The mural will be featured on the northern and eastern walls of 128 S. Main St., a building located in Uptown Marysville. The building currently houses several Union County administrative offices, including the County Records Center and Archives. It sits across the street from Partners Park, the city’s main gathering destination that hosts community events year-round, such as farmers markets, concerts, and Uptown Friday Nights, as well as daily community programming such as events at the nearby Marysville Public Library.

Review Process and Timeline

Phase I: Request For Qualifications (Due May 18, 2026 by 11:59 pm)
Interested artists are invited to submit a maximum of 10 digital images for up to five past projects, an artist bio, and a resume or CV in response to the Request for Qualifications. Submissions for this part of the RFQ will be accepted via Google form on the Main Street Marysville website (https://www.mainstreetmarysville.com/publicart).
The Mural Selection Committee, comprising representatives from Main Street Marysville, the City of Marysville, and Union County, will review submitted materials and select up to four semi-finalist artists who will be invited to create a site-specific proposal for artwork.

Phase II: Site-Specific Proposal (June 2026)
Each semi-finalist will be invited to participate in a site visit. A virtual option will be made available to any out-of-state artists or those unable to visit the site in person. The semi-finalists will then be asked to develop a site-specific design proposal inspired by the provided mural themes and the artistic goals for the completed piece. A design stipend will be provided to each artist for this work. Artist proposals will be judged competitively by the Committee.

Phase III: Project Installation (July - August 2026)
The selected artist will be awarded a $12,500 artist fee. A stipend/budget for mural materials will also be provided to assist in the completion of the work. Project installation will take place on site at 128 S. Main St. The artist will work with Main Street Marysville to develop a work schedule and project timeline that may include a hands-on community artmaking opportunity, pending artist availability and agreement.

Phase IV: Public Mural Unveiling (September 2026)
A public mural unveiling event will celebrate the completion of the artwork and may be held in conjunction with a larger community event, ensuring it is open and accessible to all. The selected artist will be in attendance and will collaborate with Main Street Marysville in advance to prepare materials such as an artist statement, artwork plaque, and press release.