IMPORTANT INFO! Please read and acknowledge below.
Submissions will be accepted from a variety of artists and undergo a fair and extensive evaluation. Artists that best demonstrate the ability to achieve the goals and objectives of the South Salt Lake Arts Council will be selected. Selected artist(s) will be chosen to create artwork that contributes to the revitalization, social connectivity and economic vitality of the City of South Salt Lake and our Creative Industries Zone.
Assigned mural locations on an exterior wall of properties located within the designated 2026 Mural Fest area will be shared with selected artists once submissions are juried and artists are paired with property owners.
Artists will create site-specific work that:
- Reflects the diversity and character of South Salt Lake
- Adds to the vibrancy and sense of place of the neighborhood
- Is not deemed as an advertisement
- Is not vulgar or obscene as determined by the South Salt Lake Arts Council Board
ARTIST ELIGIBILITY
The Mural Artist Call is open to all artists ages 18 and up. Artist teams are acceptable. Artists of all nationalities are invited to apply. Applicants who are non-US residents or resident aliens must have the proper VISA or be from a country participating in the US VISA Waiver Program.
Artists agree to begin their project sometime between April 26-May 4, 2026 and complete their mural by Friday, May 8, 2026. Artists (or a member of each artist team) are expected to be in attendance at the Mural Fest Artist Meet & Greet event on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
MURAL ARTIST STIPEND AWARDS
The Arts Council will award a stipend of up to $6,500 to each commissioned mural artist or team of artists. Amounts dependent on artist experience, location and size of wall.
Stipend awards for artists are intended to cover costs related to the mural project, including artist’s fees and related expenses for design, paint and materials, additional equipment rental such as paint sprayers, insurance, transportation to the festival and mural installation.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Accommodations will be provided for any artist traveling from outside the Wasatch Front. In most cases this will be a private room in a shared Airbnb or other rental. Traveling artists will also receive a per-diem for food and incidentals based on how many days they will be in attendance.
Mural Fest will provide each artist with the equipment necessary to access their wall to complete the mural, including man lifts, scissor lifts and ladders as appropriate based on size and wall access.
Any fees incurred for assistance from contractors, agreements between artists and property owners or any other outside parties shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
NOTE: In order to give as many artists the opportunity to paint as possible, we kindly ask artists who currently have a mural on public display IN THE CITY OF SOUTH SALT LAKE to decline the invitation to apply.
CONTRACTING
Mural Fest 2026 selected artists will be required to sign a contract outlining the needs and responsibilities of their work leading up to and throughout the festival by February 23, 2026.
The timeline below details important due dates and events that artists will be required to meet and attend. Artists will be expected to help us generate awareness about the program and their work through their own social channels.
TIMELINE
Application Deadline: Friday, December 18, 2025 by 5:00 PM (MST).
All interested artists must complete this online application by Friday, December 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM (MST) to be considered.
November 24, 2025 - Call for Artists open
December 18, 2025 - Artist application closed
December 19-January 23, 2026 - Mural Artist Jury
January 23, 2026 - Applicants notified of results
January 23-February 23, 2026 - Artist contracts signed
March 2, 2026 - Artist Announcement
March 30, 2026 - Building Owner Design Approval
April 5, 2026 - Final mural design due to SSLAC for SSLAC Arts Board approval
April 26, 2026 - Painting period opens
May 4-8, 2026 - Artist Reception and Artist Panel events, exact time/date TBD
May 8, 2026 - Mural completion deadline
May 9, 2026 - Mural Fest 2026 Mural Walk Event
Artists are encouraged to attend the Artist Panel and Artist Reception events, so please factor that into your planning schedule.
All artists are required to be in attendance at the Mural Fest Mural Walk event on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications will be juried by the South Salt Lake Arts Council Board and Artists Jury from December 19-January 23. All applicants will be notified of the results by Monday, March 2, 2026. The Arts Council Board reserves the right to deny any proposal.
Applications will be reviewed on the following criteria:
- Artistic excellence, quality of skills and techniques and the ability to develop a unique mural design
- Overall professionalism and presentation of ideas and application materials
- Appropriateness of artistic style to the South Salt Lake community and Creative Industries Zone
- Experience and potential to successfully complete the project within the required time
CONTACT INFO
For more information, please contact Lesly Allen at lesly@allenarts.me
LASTLY.......
"Being part of Mural Fest was truly an honor. An incredible team, a warm atmosphere, and the spirit of shared creativity made the experience truly special!"
Key Detail, Mural Fest 2024 Artist
Mural Fest is about Art & Community
Perhaps you've participated in other mural festivals; honestly, there are a lot out there! While some may be bigger or pay more, we've got something unique and special and it has a lot to do with those involved and our community, which is South Salt Lake. We consider every artist who participates in Mural Fest part of our family.
This will be our 9th year and we realize that a lot of energy and time goes into the creative vision and execution of any mural project. We respect that. The Mural Fest team will do our best to support your work and make it a fun and memorable experience. We also hope you'll be able to build a connection with the other participating artists and our great community!
Thank you for applying!
