DEADLINE EXTENED TO SUNDAY, APRIL 12 BY 11:59 PM. 

North Kansas City Parks and Recreation is conducting a Call to Artists for one of kind murals for benches made out of retired wind turbine blades. The original artwork will be printed and installed as a vinyl wrap to the canvas area of each bench. Three artists will be selected, one for each design theme, and will receive a $1,500 stipend each for their artwork. Final artwork from selected artists will be required to be submitted as a digital file for printing.

We are looking for artists with a connection to North Kansas City to create one of kind murals for benches made out of retired wind turbine blades. A theme is provided for each bench to fit the environment that they will be installed in. As these benches will be placed in parks, we strongly encourage an overall theme of nature. Artists are welcome to submit an application for each theme, but it is not required. If selected, artist will only be selected for one theme to design.

BENCH 1 (Everglade): Artist will be asked to create a mural based on FOREST as a theme.
LOCATION: River Forest Park - 2011 E 26th Ave
Template: Bench 1 Forest

BENCH 2 (Acadia): Artist will be asked to create a mural based on POLLINATORS as a theme.
LOCATION: Milkweed Pollinator Habitat at Wheel Park
Corner of Ozark & Clark Ferguson Drive
Template: Bench 2 Pollinator

BENCH 3 (Acadia): Artist will be asked to create a mural based COMMUNITY as a theme.
LOCATION: Macken Park - 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive
Template: Bench 3 Community

CONCEPT:
- Tell a story, rooted in local history, natural environment, resident identity, and/or shared visions for North Kansas City’s future.
- Illustrate the local identity, uniqueness, and arts and culture assets of the North Kansas City community.
- Enhance the public and pedestrian environment of North Kansas City Parks through artistic expression by utilizing an attractive layout and color combinations.

REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have an connection to North Kansas City as a resident, business (owner or employee), education, volunteer, etc. You will be asked to write what your tie is to Northtown on your application. (If not a resident of North Kansas City, artist must reside within a 30 mile radius.)
- To scale, detailed sketch (no larger than 8.5”x11") of proposed design on provided template, including any text. Artwork will need to cover all blank areas of the canvas, both outside and inside of the structure. (See examples here)
- Short narrative of the proposed artwork.
- Lead artist’s qualifications and 3 examples of previous work.
- Visual imagery must be appropriate for all audiences (not containing advertising, partisan politics, sexual or religious content).
- Completion of application and submission by deadline, APRIL 12.

TIMELINE:
Applications due by 11:59 PM on Sunday, April 12.
Selected artists will be notified on Friday, April 17.
Artwork must be finalized and submitted digitally by Monday, May 18.

POLICY ON NON-AI-GENERATED SUBMISSIONS: To maintain the integrity and originality, artwork submissions wholly or partly generated by Generative AI technologies are not eligible for consideration. Submitted artworks must be original, and artists represent that they hold full rights to the work. Tools or software that do not autonomously generate or alter creative content but assist in the manual creation process (e.g., digital brushes, color correction tools) are permitted.

Click here to apply!

NKCPR Mural Benches_Call for Artists and Templates

Examples of Public Art made for Nobelwins Benches

Questions? Contact Coti at dmeier@nkc.org or call 816-300-0545.