Highland Avenue Mural Project

Call for Artists - Needham, MA Mural Project

The Needham Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), on behalf of the Town of Needham, MA, has announced a Call for Artists for the “Highland Ave Mural Project.” The NCAC is requesting proposals from professional muralists to paint a mural with high visibility on the side of a commercial building at 1299 Highland Avenue, approximately 37 feet by 14 feet, on a main street of Needham. 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.

In addition, the mural should:

celebrate the unique character of Needham
reinforce a sense of town community and pride
be welcoming, appealing and appropriate for a diverse audience
enhance the neighborhood and character of the surrounding area

The NCAC would like to bring this professionally painted mural to Needham in the spring of 2026. The artist must be available during the specified timeframe.

Location Description and Map:

Grant funding for this mural has been secured through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and the Town of Needham with additional funding from the Grossman Companies. The NCAC hopes that this mural will provide artists with professional opportunities and create a meaningful and lasting work of art for the community. The mural will face the highly traveled Highland Avenue. It will be painted on the side of the building that is part of a busy commercial plaza that houses restaurants, a sporting goods store, a hair salon, and more. Most importantly, this mural will be seen by all who commute along this busy road which takes people into the center of Needham.

1299 Highland Avenue - Location and Site Map:

1299 Highland Avenue - Plaza Overview

,1299 Highland Avenue- Mural Wall

1299 Highland Avenue - Wall Detail

Design Requirements:

Arts and culture are powerful tools for connecting neighborhoods and inspiring a sense of unity for all who live in, work in, and visit Needham. 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 relatable 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.

The approximate size of the wall for the mural project is 37 feet by 14 feet. If possible, a site visit is highly recommended for artists to verify exact dimensions and assess site conditions, particularly if the proposed design requires precise measurements. The project wall is visually separated by pipes into two distinct surfaces: a flat EFIS section and a brick section. The scope of work is strictly confined to the flat EFIS section. The brick section is to be preserved in its current state and is not to be part of the mural installation.

2025-2026 Timeline:

November 4, 2025: Opening of application process

November 30, 2025: Deadline for artist application submission

December 4, 2025: 3 Finalists chosen and notified

January 2, 2025: Submission of digital mural design image by 3 finalists

January 5-19, 2026: Public survey is open for town input on final designs

February 3, 2026: Final design chosen

Following
February 3, 2026 Review and approval by NCAC, Select Board, Design Review Board, and building site representative, anticipated review process by Town Counsel

Early Spring, 2026: Anticipated mural installation date

Budget Information:

Selected finalists must submit an all-inclusive mural budget of up to $14,000. 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 should have an interest in working with the Needham community. Priority will be given to applicants with a connection to the area.
Applicants should have a relevant body of work with completed projects of similar size and scale.
Applicants must demonstrate understanding of large works, knowledge of durable materials, and response to environmental conditions.
Applicants must have experience in being able to work within a budget. The selected finalist(s) must submit a proposed budget.
Applicants must have experience working with community stakeholders. The selected finalist(s) must attend a community engagement session hosted by the NCAC. This session is intended to share information and gather input for the design proposal.
Applicants must be flexible and communicative regarding the final design decision.
Eligible applications must include a completed online application.

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
Ability to submit complete qualifications by the due date (TBD)
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 Mural Subcommittee and three other community members, including a visual artist, a business owner in Needham, and a youth representative under the age of 18.

Submission Process:

Artists must complete the online application by November 30, 2025. If you have trouble accessing the form, please contact the NCAC directly at needhamartsandculture@gmail.com. The Selection Committee will review qualifications and notify the three finalists by December 4, 2025. 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 prepared 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.