FULTON AND MILWAUKEE VIADUCT PUBLIC ART PROJECT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

INTRODUCTION 

The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Office of Alderman Conway, invites Chicago area artists, artist teams, and arts organizations to submit their qualifications for a mural commission at the Union Pacific railroad viaduct located at Fulton Street and Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.  

PROJECT CONTEXT: PUBLIC ART MENU PROGRAM  

This project is part of the City of Chicago’s Public Art Menu Program, through which DCASE collaborates with Aldermanic offices to commission neighborhood-based public artworks using discretionary capital funds allocated through City Wards.  

SUMMARY OF THE OPPORTUNITY 

Tucked between the bustle of downtown and the energy of Fulton Market, the viaduct at Fulton Street and Milwaukee Avenue sits at a key crossroads in the Fulton River District. This neighborhood—bordered by the Chicago River, the Kennedy Expressway, Ohio Street, and Madison Street—is a gateway between the Loop and the Near West Side, where history, movement, and momentum converge. Just beyond the viaduct to the west is the ever-evolving Fulton Market District, a thriving mix of restaurants, businesses, and new residences. The viaduct along Fulton Street serves as a vital connector, channeling foot traffic, cyclists, and vehicles between these vibrant areas. 

This opportunity invites artists to reimagine the north- and south-facing walls of the viaduct with a large-scale painted mural that transforms the space into something more than a pass-through—it should become a place to pause, to look, and to connect. We’re looking for a bold and imaginative vision that reflects the richness of the surrounding community: its layered history as a transportation hub and its present-day pulse of movement, culture, and creativity. 

The mural should not only beautify the space but create a memorable experience for everyone who passes through—whether they’re walking to work, biking home, or driving by. Designs should consider scale and sightlines from multiple perspectives and aim to leave a lasting impression that sparks curiosity and a deeper appreciation for public art in everyday spaces. 

SITE 

Artwork Locations:  

North wall under viaduct: 16’H x 101’W  

South wall under viaduct: 16’H x 94’W  

Retaining wall just west of the north wall: 25’H x 51’W  

Corner wall near Milwaukee Avenue: 16’H x 6’W  

Note: Artwork may not be painted on the column surfaces. Per Public Art Menu Program guidelines, the mural is intended to have a lifespan of approximately 3 years.  

SCHEDULE* 

* All dates are approximate. 

BUDGET  

Finalist honorarium: $1,000  

Commission budget: $85,000  

This budget must cover all project costs, including artist and design fees, materials, installation, permits, insurance, and any other related expenses.  

WHAT TO SUBMIT  

Each artist, artist team, or arts organization must submit an entirely digital application.  

Incomplete applications will not be considered. *  

Applications should include:   

Letter of Interest: A one- (1) page letter of interest stating why the specific site is meaningful and appropriate for the applicant’s work, as well as initial conceptual ideas.   

CV: A two- (2) page resume or curriculum vitae (CV).  

If applying as an artist team or arts organization, provide one resume or CV for each team member.  

If applying as an artist team or arts organization, a list of key team members and their roles/affiliations.  

Annotated Image List of Work Samples: An annotated image list that includes the title, media, year completed, dimensions, location (if site-specific), project budget (if applicable), type of lighting, timeline, client or commissioning entity for each corresponding image or video, and if the artist led community workshops that help inform the design.  

If a video is submitted, please include two to three (2-3) sentences to describe its context. Please note, the annotated image list may include thumbnails of submitted images but does not replace the need to upload individual image files in fulfillment of a) above.  

Past Work Samples: Six (6) to ten (10) total images of past large-scale mural projects by the artist or the artist team’s lead artist(s). If artists have experience in illuminated public artworks, please include in your examples.  

Optional: One (1) video, edited to no more than two (2) minutes in length, may also be submitted but is not required. 

Interested applicants must register with CaFÉ to view the application. Deadline for submissions is November 10, 2025, 11:59 pm, CST.     

For technical assistance using CaFÉ, please visit:   

https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/   

Virtual Info Session: September 24, 2025  

12:30pm   

Via Zoom   

Register in advance for this meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HZO1nwWJSiSYumav65NxeQ 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.   

WHAT TO SUBMIT 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

All applications must be submitted digitally via CaFÉ and include:  

Letter of Interest (1 page max):  
Explain your interest in this project, relevant experience, and any connection to the Fulton River District. Share your conceptual approach and ideas for community engagement.  

Resume/CV (2 pages max):  
For teams or organizations, include a resume for each key team member along with their roles.  

Past Work Samples:  
Upload 6–10 images of previous large-scale mural projects. (Optional: 1 video no longer than 2 minutes.)  

Annotated Image List:  
Include title, medium, year, dimensions, location (if site-specific), project budget (if applicable), timeline, and commissioning entity. If submitting a video, provide a brief context (2–3 sentences).  

ELIGIBILITY 

This opportunity is open to all Chicago area professional artists, artists teams, and arts organizations. 

SELECTION PROCESS 

After the RFQ submission deadline, DCASE will convene a panel of community members, business representatives, and arts professionals to review submissions. The panel will select 3–4 finalists, each of whom will receive a $1,000 honorarium to develop a site-specific concept proposal.  

Finalists will present their proposals to the selection panel, and one artist or team will be awarded the commission. 

SELECTION CRITERIA  

Applicants will be shortlisted based on a competitive review of the following:  

Artistic excellence: demonstrated skill and quality craftsmanship in examples of past work; strength and originality of concept conveyed in the letter of interest.  

Meaningful intent for the project scope; or connection to place (site for artwork, neighborhood, community).