Esperanza Rising Mural Project

The City of Cathedral City, California, and the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission invites artists to create a mural in the city’s newest public space, Esperanza Park.  

Artists with demonstrated experience in creating public art, particularly in community-based or culturally relevant contexts, and with the participation of the community, are encouraged to apply. Artists who have a meaningful connection to communities that have experienced disinvestment or who identify with the values reflected in the themes of resilience, transformation, and hope are especially encouraged to submit an application.

About Cathedral City

Nestled in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Cathedral City is a vibrant and culturally rich community centrally located between two of Southern California’s major metropolitan areas—just 107 miles east of Los Angeles and 123 miles northeast of San Diego. Framed by breathtaking desert landscapes and dramatic mountain vistas, Cathedral City is known for its inclusive spirit, artistic energy, and strong sense of place. The city is home to a diverse and dynamic population, with a proud majority Hispanic community that deeply influences the local culture, traditions, and public life. Cathedral City also lies on the reservation lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, whose ancestral presence and ongoing stewardship contribute to the area’s historical and cultural depth. As a community that values creativity, heritage, and connection, Cathedral City offers a uniquely inspiring canvas for artists to share their vision and help shape a more vibrant public realm.

Project Scope

The Public Arts Commission invites artists to create a mural for the city’s newest public space, Esperanza Park.  Esperanza Park is a new 7.5 acres park featuring children’s play areas, shaded picnic spaces, fitness equipment, sports fields, basketball courts, a dog park, and connectivity to the regional CV Link, a regional multi-modal trail system.    The park’s opening was the culmination of a community-driven effort, years in the making, bringing a vital recreational space to a previously underserved neighborhood, locally known as the Dream Homes community. The name Esperanza meaning “hope” in Spanish, reflects the community’s vision for this vibrant new gathering space. 

The mural is funded by a grant from the California Art in Parks program.  The grant has created four activations at Esperanza Park centered around hope, vibrancy, and renewal.  The four events are themed around Echoes of the Past, a celebration honoring the cultural roots and ancestral stories of the Dream Homes community and the ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians upon which the community was built; Voices of the Present capturing the vibrant energy, talent and identity of Cathedral City today; Visions of the Future, allows the community to dream boldly; and Together We Heal - a powerful celebration of connection, restoration and community resilience.   The mural should explore these themes.  

The mural is the second public art piece to be installed in the park.  The first is an entryway sculpture at the park's main entrance.  Staff facilitated a bi-lingual discussion with residents seeking input on the neighborhood’s ideas for the first public art piece.  The residents shared their ideas on what they would like that piece to represent which included the themes of resilience, rising from the ashes, transformation, metamorphosis, growth, regeneration, rebirth, safety, and inviting for all children.  

Project Location

The mural will be located on the back wall of the restroom building, facing the CVLink multi-modal regional trail.  CV Link - Coachella Valley Alternative Transportation Route, a heavily utilized trail system that has direct access to the park at this location.  

• Location: Esperanza Park, 30600 San Diego Drive, Cathedral City, CA 92234
• Mural Size: Approx. 9.5 ft x 30 ft (300 sq ft), facing the entry to CV Link

·         Photos and maps of the location can be found at https://www.cathedralcity.gov/departments/city-manager/call-for-artists

Project Budget

The project budget is $50,000 and includes all associated costs including, but not limited to artist design fee, materials, insurance, travel.   The grant will provide separate funding for supplies (brushes, drop cloths, etc.) for the community members to assist in the painting of the mural, up to $2,000 in addition to the project budget.

Artist Selection Process

Applications will be pre-screened by City of Cathedral City staff to ensure that applicants meet the Minimum Qualifications described under the "Eligibility Criteria" and that the applications are complete as described under "Application Criteria".

The jury will rank submissions based on the quality of their application, with particular emphasis on artistic inspiration, alignment with the vision of the project, prior experience with similar projects and the portfolio of previous work. Previous experience working with community to help create murals or similar public art projects should be demonstrated.

The Public Arts Commission will be the selection panel.   The top finalists will be shared with the community via online survey and direct outreach in the Dream Homes neighborhood to solicit input on finalists.  The Public Arts Commission will select one artist/artist team for the project; their recommendation will be submitted to the City Council for final approval and award of contract.

Project Estimated Schedule

·         Application Period Open May 14, 2026 

·         Applications Close June 30, 2026

·         Selection Panel Review - July 1-July 10 2026

·         Public Arts Commission Review and selection of up to 3 finalists -  July 14, 2026

·         Community Input - July 15 - August 3, 2026

·         Public Arts Commission Selection - August 11, 2026

·         City Council Award of Contract - August 26, 2026

·         Painting Day - to begin - September 10, 2026

·         Unveiling October 10, 2026

Schedule may be amended by the City of Cathedral City.   Selected artist will be consulted on any accelerations or delays to the schedule.

Submissions (described below) must be received as a complete application in CAFE no later than 11:59 P.M. (PDT) on June 30, 2026 

All materials will be submitted online via the www.callforentry.org.

Application Criteria

Required Application Materials

The application submission must include the information and materials described below, all of which are required to constitute a complete application. 

1. Contact Information - If applying as a team, indicate the name and contact information of the team’s representative. Please place this as the first name in the application.
2. Artist’s resume 
3. Statement of interest in the project 
4. Description of past experience working with community members to create  mural or similar work.
5. Images of Past Work: Photographs of past artwork that demonstrate your qualifications for this project. Please include an annotated image list: a list of the submitted images with descriptions that clearly explain both the projects and images.  Submit up to 5 images of completed projects. Images of designs for previously proposed projects that were not developed to completion may be submitted, however they should be clearly marked as proposals and cannot be more than 2 of the maximum 5 images. Teams are also limited to 5 images. If the team has produced work together previously, please include representations of that work. If the team has not collaborated previously, appropriate images of work from all team members as appropriate should be included.  Please provide descriptions of the submitted artowork that clearly explain both the projects and images. Including dimensions, medium, location, commissioning agency and budgets (when information is allowed to be released).
6. Color sketch or digital image of proposed artwork to scale. Please include a narrative outlining the vision of the proposed mural.
7. Provide your estimated budget for materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses.
8. List of three professional references.  References will only be contacted for the artist proposed as a finalist for the project by the selection panel

The City of Cathedral City reserves the right to reject any or all applications or proposals and to modify or terminate the application process or the selection process for any reason and without prior notice.

Evaluation Criteria

 Applications will be evaluated according to the criteria below. Only complete applications will be considered.

1. Artistic Quality and Vision

• Demonstrates a strong artistic concept aligned with the mission and goals of the mural program.
• Shows originality, creativity, and visual impact appropriate to the proposed site.
• Includes a clear narrative of how the design reflects or engages with the local community, history, or environment.

2. Relevant Professional Experience

• Applicant must provide a portfolio that includes examples of prior mural or large-scale public art projects.
• Portfolio should demonstrate technical proficiency, durability of materials, and the ability to execute work of similar scale.

3. Community Engagement Experience (Required)

• Applicants should demonstrate prior experience working directly with community members in the development and execution of a public art or mural project.

• Must be a California-based artist or team
• Artists must be 18 years of age or older to apply.
• Demonstrated experience completing large-scale exterior or public artwork
• Demonstrated experience working with community members to create the finished mural.
• Must submit up to 5 samples of previous works
• Ability to provide own liability insurance for the duration of the project
• Ability to provideall necessary access equipment
• Ability to complete the mural in the time frame described.  Due to the funding requirements of the grant, the mural must be completed by October 10, 2026.
• All materials must be suitable for permanent exterior application, including graffiti resistance.
• Subject of the mural should be suitable for a public park utilized by residents of all ages.
• Collaborating artists and teams are welcome to apply together