RFQ: Elevating History: A Mural Series From The Living Oral History Project, Ann Arbor, MI

Budget: $45,000 - 50,000

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA), through its Elevate public art program, is partnering with the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) and the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) to commission three murals along Ann Street. These murals will honor the area's history as a vibrant center for Ann Arbor’s Black community, businesses, families, and civic leaders.  The murals will be located on three prominent downtown sites and aim to restore visibility to a vital history that remains unknown to many today.  Artists will draw inspiration from the Living Oral History Project and digital archives, translating this significant history into a compelling mural reflecting one of three site-specific themes:

1. Black-owned businesses and commercial street scenes
2. Residential and community life, incorporating a map
3. Civic leadership and the Fair Housing Ordinance

OPPORTUNITY 

RFQ: Elevating History: A Mural Series from the Living Oral History Project in Ann Arbor, MI
Budget: $45,000 - 50,000

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA), through its Elevate public art program, is partnering with the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) and the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) to commission three murals along Ann Street. These murals will honor the area's history as a vibrant center for Ann Arbor’s Black community, businesses, families, and civic leaders.  The murals will be located on three prominent downtown sites and aim to restore visibility to a vital history that remains unknown to many today.  Artists will draw inspiration from the Living Oral History Project and digital archives, translating this significant history into a compelling mural reflecting one of three site-specific themes:

1. Black-owned businesses and commercial street scenes
2. Residential and community life, incorporating a map
3. Civic leadership and the Fair Housing Ordinance

PROJECT AND SITE BACKGROUND
Beginning in 2013, the AADL and AACHM partnered to create the Living Oral History Project (LOH), a growing collection of interviews that document what local African Americans witnessed, experienced, and contributed to, building the community in Ann Arbor we share today. The associated LOH Digital Collection extends the archive with over 3,000 historical photographs and news articles from AADL’s Community Collections about major topics featured in the interviews, including Community Centers, Education, Housing, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Faith. The LOH Walking Tour offers an on-the-ground experience guiding participants through neighborhood locations connected to the stories and archives.  

Inspired by the Living Oral History Project and Digital Collection, the DDA joined the partnership for this special public art project to support and visually illuminate the history back into the neighborhood where it originated.  These murals will serve as a companion to the LOH Walking Tour, educating the public and visitors about the neighborhood’s influential past.  Installed at key sites, the murals aim to reestablish a sense of presence and place within the urban landscape.  

As early as the late nineteenth century, Black business owners began operating barber shops on East Ann Street and North Fourth Avenue, and the area grew into a flourishing site for Black businesses. Ann Arbor’s Black population grew from 4.1% in 1940 to 6.7% in 1970, but the city’s neighborhoods remained racially segregated well into the 1960s. Most Black families lived in the area north of downtown, stretching from Kingsley Street to the Huron River and west to Brooks Street. Former residents remember it as a tight-knit community anchored by Jones School, the Dunbar Community Center, and two historically Black churches.

The area where the murals will be installed now includes Community High School (formerly Jones School prior to its closing during desegregation), the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, and many small and unique businesses.  It remains a walkable and vibrant district that hosts numerous community events, including the annual African American Downtown Festival.   A new housing development and community creative center on Catherine St, Dunbar Towers, just one block down from Ann Street, will be complete in 2026.  Inspired by the original Dunbar Center, this development will also promote the history of the area and Ann Arbor’s Black community.

PROJECT + SITE DETAILS
For access to the digital archives, direct links specific to each theme and location, and site information please review the packet titled "Elevating History: A Mural Series from the Living Oral History Project_History and Site Information Packet ".   

Project 1: 
Theme: Black-owned businesses and commercial street scenes

Site: The east facing facade of the Ann & Ashley Parking Structure (220 N Ashley St)

• The artwork will be directly painted on the three or four horizontal levels.  The selection committee asks that the artist or artist team consider painting at least half of the facade. However, the whole facade is available for the artist to use as they see fit to their design and budget, including the lower brick level and vertical columns.   The most visible part of the facade from Ann St is directly above the street.

Project 2:
Theme: Residential and community life, incorporating a map

Site: The west facing facade of the Ann Arbor Fire Department (111 N 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104).  This site is adjacent to Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum entrance and will be seen by many families and children. 

• The artist or artist team must paint the mural on an approved substrate, such as Aluminium Composite Material, and install it on the facade.  The artist can not paint directly onto the brick.  The artist should be familiar with working and installing substrate panels and will be required to provide stamped engineer drawings from an MI licensed engineer for safe installation.
• The selection committee would like to see the artist to incorporate about 400 square feet into their design at minimum, but the artist can use as much as the facade as they see fit to their design and budget.
• The artwork can not cover the vents or windows
• The artwork can be painted on rectangular panels and/or custom cut to any shape.
• The mounted work can be designed as one unit or spread out as separate elements on the facade.

Project 3:
Theme: Civic leadership and the Fair Housing Ordinance

Site: The red and/or grey brick west-facing facade of Ann Arbor City Hall (301 E. Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104) at the intersection of 5th St and Ann Street.  

• The artist or artist team must paint the mural on an approved substrate, such as Aluminium Composite Material, and install it on the facade.  The artist can not paint directly onto the brick.  The artist should be familiar with working and installing substrate panels and will be required to  provide stamped engineer drawings from an MI licensed engineer for safe installation.
• The selection committee requires the artist to incorporate about 500 square feet into their design at minimum, but the artist can use as much as the facade as they see fit to their design and budget.
• The artwork, or key aspects of the artwork, should sit above the treeline to be visible all seasons.
• The artwork can not cover the vents, windows, or existing infrastructure.
• The artwork can be painted on rectangular panels and/or custom cut to any shape.
• The mounted work can be designed as one unit or spread out as separate elements on the facade.

Other Design Guidelines and Considerations

• Designs may include limited letters, numbers, or words but should not be the sole focus of the artwork.
• Designs may not include any logos, trademarked materials, commercial imagery, or any sort of advertising.
• Designs may not be religious or political in nature, or contain imagery that is considered sacred by any peoples.
• Designs must be original artwork.  Use of AI-generated images and design is not permitted.
• Use of specific images or images of people will be discussed with the semi-finalists.

BUDGET
The budget for each project site is the following:

1. Project and Site 1: $45,000
2. Project and Site 2: $45,000
3. Project and Site 3: $50,000

This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project, including, but not limited to: the artist's design fee, artist's assistant costs, consultation fees, structural engineering and stamped drawings if applicable, permits, insurance, tools, materials (including substrate panels required for Project 2 or Project 3), facade prep, fabrication, transportation, installation, any building or site modification required, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, a contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. 

For budgeting purposes, semi-finalists will have the opportunity to discuss permitting requirements, process, and estimated fees individually with the A2AC and the DDA.

CONTRACT + INSURANCE
The selected artist or art team will be the sole contract signatory with the City of Ann Arbor and the DDA.   The artist will be required to carry general liability insurance and submit COI listing the city of Ann Arbor, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Ann Arbor Art Center as additionally insured.  The artist shall also be responsible for hiring, managing, and assuring that subcontractors and installers, if there are any, meet the same insurance requirements.

Please view sample contract.

MATERIAL + MAINTENANCE
All applicants must consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art. This project is in the public realm and will be exposed to physical stresses and potential vandalism. Any artwork outdoors must be fabricated from durable, low-maintenance materials appropriate for public display.  Artists will be required to submit a material and maintenance document upon project completion.  Murals may require an anti-graphitic coating.

The DDA and City of Ann Arbor will review the final artist's proposal and contract to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 
Please submit the following application requirements. Submissions must be submitted online at CaFE Call for Entry by November 10th 11:59 PM. There is no application fee to apply or use the online application system.  

1. Letter of Interest: outline your art practice and experience, interest and/or connection to this project, and how you may approach the artwork design and creation. Please indicate if you are interested in being considered for all three Project sites and/or if you have a preference for Project 1, 2, or 3. (3000 character max)
2. Resume: Outline your professional experience and accomplishments, maximum of two (2) pages.  If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume not exceeding two (2) pages.
3. Artwork Images: selection of ten (10) images representing artworks most relevant to the scope of this opportunity.
4. Artist Bio, (2000 character max)
5. References: three (3) professional references, including name, affiliated organization (if appropriate), position or title, email address, phone number, and relationship to each reference.

Note: This is a Request for Qualifications; proposals will be required for the semi-finalists. 

Eligibility
The DDA is seeking artists or artist teams who can commit to working in Ann Arbor as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this project. Any artist or artist team residing in the United States can apply, including applicants currently on a U.S. Visa.  Applicants who are on a Visa must be able to legally work in the United States and provide documentation with their application.

SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process shall be a two-stage effort.   A panel of representatives from the DDA, AADL, AACHM and other designees will review applications.  Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:  

• Letter of Interest and alignment with project goals
• Quality, creativity, and strength of past work examples
• Demonstrated experience, interest, and qualifications to complete a permanent, durable, public artwork within budget, timeline, and technical constraints.
• Artist Resume and References

The selection committee may request preliminary interviews with applicants to select the semi-finalists.  Semi-finalists will then be invited to develop a concept for 1-3 sites, researching the LOH Digital Archive to create a site-specific proposal, renderings or developed sketches, budget outline, project timeline, and anything else the artists may deem necessary to convey their process or project.  Each semi-finalist will receive a stipend of $600 total for 1 site, $800 total for 2 sites, or $1000 total for 3 sites.  Semi-finalists must submit a complete W-9 to receive payment.  The honorarium is separate from the project budget.  In-person or virtual interviews with selected semi-finalists may follow proposal submissions.  A finalist will be selected and awarded a contract, which will require a final design phase and approval by the stakeholders before fabrication and installation.

Timeline
All dates except the submission deadline are approximate, subject to change, and are presented for guidance only. 

• Call Submission Deadline: Monday November 10th, 2025 at 11:59pm MTD
• Semi-finalists Selected: Feb 2026
• Semi-finalists Proposals: Artists will be given 6 weeks to develop proposal(s) after notification.
• Finalist Awarded: April 2026.
• Project Completion and Installation: Ann Street will be under construction Summer and Fall of 2026, starting near the parking garage (Project 1) and moving sequentially towards City Hall (Project 2 and 3).  The DDA would like to install the murals after construction of each street section is complete.

1. Project 1: Installation expected September 2026, dependent on the completed section of Ann Street construction.  Installation may move to Spring 2027
2. Project 2: Fabrication to be complete in 2026 and installed early 2027 after Ann St construction is complete
3. Project 3: Fabrication to be complete in 2026 and installed early 2027 after Ann St construction is complete

SCOPE OF WORK
Final Artist(s) Responsibilities
The finalist will contract with the DDA and City of Ann Arbor and the scope will include but not be limited to the following: 

• Conduct research to better understand the site, the project, and any other elements deemed helpful to their creative process
• Develop and Present Project concepts, sketches, and/or renderings
• Work in collaboration with DDA, City of Ann Arbor, and stakeholders to finalize the design for approval
• If installing panels, attain stamped structural engineer drawings by a Michigan-licensed engineer to ensure the safety and stability of the proposed installation.
• Source materials, fabricate, and install the artwork.  Artists may subcontract with fabricators, installers, or technicians as necessary.  The artist(s) will be required to manage any fabrication process and be on site for installation.  Subcontractors will be required to provide insurance.
• Attain necessary permits for installation
• Fulfill the responsibilities within the contracted budget and timeline
• Participate in a ceremonial event

FOR QUESTIONS:
This Call-for-Art is managed in collaboration with the DDA, AACHM, and AADL by the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Art in Public Program.  Please direct your questions to The Ann Arbor Art Center artinpublic@annarborartcenter.org | 734-926-4122

ABOUT THE ANN ARBOR ART CENTER
For over a century, the nonprofit A2AC (Ann Arbor Art Center) has sparked creativity in people of all ages, backgrounds, and artistic abilities. Our mission is to be a contemporary forum for the visual arts through education, exploration, collaboration, and exhibition. We aim to engage minds, expand perspectives, and inspire growth in students of all ages, teachers, artists, and the community. We are empowered to carry out our mission through the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe in the value of our work and in creativity’s essential role in sustaining and elevating our everyday experience. In fulfilling our mission, the Art Center is a regional visual arts hub. It prioritizes the long-standing partnerships we cultivate as a keystone for Ann Arbor’s healthy cultural and civic life ecosystem. 

Please submit the following application requirements. Submissions must be submitted online at CaFE Call for Entry by November 10th 11:59 PM. There is no application fee to apply or use the online application system.  

1. Letter of Interest: outline your art practice and experience, interest and/or connection to this project, and how you may approach the artwork design and creation. Please indicate if you are interested in being considered for all three Project sites and/or if you have a preference for Project 1, 2, or 3. (3000 character max)
2. Resume: Outline your professional experience and accomplishments, maximum of two (2) pages.  If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume not exceeding two (2) pages.
3. Artwork Images: selection of ten (10) images representing artworks most relevant to the scope of this opportunity.
4. Artist Bio, (2000 character max)
5. References: three (3) professional references, including name, affiliated organization (if appropriate), position or title, email address, phone number, and relationship to each reference.

Note: This is a Request for Qualifications; proposals will be required for the semi-finalists. 

The DDA is seeking artists or artist teams who can commit to working in Ann Arbor as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this project. Any artist or artist team residing in the United States can apply, including applicants currently on a U.S. Visa.  Applicants who are on a Visa must be able to legally work in the United States and provide documentation with their application.