2027 BFA Broward Mural Mentorship

CALL TO ARTISTS

 2027 BFA Broward Mural Mentorship Program

Call to Emerging Mural Artists: Paid Public Art Mentorship Opportunity

Business for the Arts Broward (BFA Broward) is seeking ten (10) emerging artists to participate in the 2026 Public Art Mentorship Program to create a mural located at 1401 Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.

Participants will work alongside Lead Artist Mentors Lori Pratico and Nate Dee to execute approximately 2,835 square feet of public art across multiple wall surfaces. Artists will gain hands-on experience, large-scale painting, project planning, professional development, and public art best practices while contributing to a highly visible community artwork.

Opportunity

Business for the Arts Broward (BFA Broward) is seeking applications from emerging mural artists for the 2027 BFA Broward Public Art Mentorship Program.

This intensive professional development opportunity will provide ten selected artists with hands-on experience executing a large-scale public art project under the guidance of Lead Artist Mentors Lori Pratico and Nate Dee (Nate Delinois).

Mentors will work directly and collaboratively with all participating artists throughout the program. Participants will gain practical experience in every phase of the mural process, from design presentation to project management and final installation.

The 2027 mentorship mural will be painted at 1401 Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale's Historic Sistrunk neighborhood.

The project consists of approximately 2,835 square feet of mural surface across multiple wall sections along Sistrunk Boulevard. The completed murals will serve as a lasting visual landmark celebrating education, creativity, and community.

Mural artists often struggle to bridge the gap between studio work and large-scale public art. This mentorship program is designed to provide artists with the technical skills, professional knowledge, and real-world experience necessary to pursue future public art opportunities.

Artist Benefits:

Each selected artist will receive:

• Paid participation in the mentorship program, a $5000 stipend

• Hands-on experience executing large-scale public murals

• Direct mentorship from established professional muralists

• Collaborative guidance from both Lead Artist Mentors

• Professional development training covering:

·       Budgeting and pricing

·       Contracts and insurance

·       Client communication

·       Material selection

·       Surface preparation

·       Mural installation techniques

·       Lift and site safety

·       Mural maintenance and protective coatings

·       Career development strategies

·       Professional documentation of the completed murals

·       Recognition in project marketing and promotional materials

·       Continued mentorship and career support following project completion

About Business for the Arts Broward

Business for the Arts Broward (BFA Broward) serves as a connector between businesses, artists, cultural organizations, and the community to strengthen Broward County's creative economy. Through public art initiatives, artist opportunities, exhibitions, events, and strategic partnerships, BFA Broward helps create a more vibrant place to work, live, and visit.

To learn more visit:
www.bfabroward.org
@bfabroward

Meet the Mentors

Lori Pratico

Lori Pratico is a professional muralist, artist, and arts administrator with 40 years of experience in the visual arts. Beginning her career as a billboard painter in Philadelphia at age 18, she has completed more than 150 murals across 16 states and is recognized for her expertise in public art, community engagement, hand lettering, and collaborative mural projects.

Lori is the full-time Program Coordinator for Business for the Arts Broward (BFA Broward), where she helps develop and manage public art initiatives, artist programs, exhibitions, and community arts events throughout Broward County, including the Mural Mentorship Program, Art Curation Program, Art + Stroll, and the BFA Art Walls Mural Fest. She is also the founder of the former national mural initiative Girl Noticed, which used public art to celebrate the visibility and empowerment of girls and women. Her current work includes an immersive installation in Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Through this mentorship program, Lori shares the technical, creative, and professional knowledge gained from decades of creating public art and leading community-based arts projects.

Nate Dee (Nate Delinois)

Nate Dee is a Miami-based artist, painter, and muralist known for his figurative paintings and large-scale murals. He was born and raised in South Florida, and his Haitian cultural background is reflected in his use of bold colors and expressive brushwork.

While studying fine arts at Florida International University, Nate honed his skills in traditional oil painting techniques, specifically in the ala prima style. Soon after he began creating large-scale murals using exterior paint and spray paint, allowing his artwork to transcend the traditional boundaries of the canvas.

Nate's has over a decade of experience painting murals throughout the United States as well as Internationally.

His art has been exhibited in galleries and public spaces around the world, and he has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, including corporate brands, local governments, and non-profit organizations. His unique artistic vision and technical proficiency ensure that each project is a powerful representation of his values and the client's objectives.

Through his art, Nate Dee seeks to explore a deeper appreciation and understanding of this idea while creating works that have relevance with local stakeholders those that engage with the artwork daily.

 Applicants must:

• Be 18 years or older at the time of submission

• Reside in Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, or Monroe County

• Have reliable transportation

• Be available throughout the duration of the program

• Have completed:

·       1–5 murals or public art projects, OR

·       Several large-scale artworks demonstrating readiness for mural work

• Submit 10 examples of recent artwork

• Submit a written statement describing how participation will support their artistic and professional goals

• Be willing to work outdoors for extended periods

• Be able to climb ladders, and assist with mural installation activities

• Be willing to be trained and operate lift equipment according to safety guidelines

• Attend all required virtual meetings and on-site painting days

Program Timeline

Phase 1 – Artist Selection

• November 16, 2026 – Call to Artists Released

• December 14, 2026 – Application Deadline

• January 4–10, 2027 – Jury review

• January 11, 2027 – Jury & Final Artist Selection

• January 12, 2027 – Artist Notifications

Phase 2 – Mentorship & Workshops

• January 19, 2027 – Zoom: Kickoff & Orientation

• January 26–29, 2027 – In-person site visit and community forum (YMCA)

• January 29 – February 12, 2027 – Nate Dee & Lori Pratico develop mural design

• February 9, 2027 – Zoom: Professional Development Workshop

• February 15–19, 2027 – Final approvals and permitting process begins

• February 23, 2027 – Zoom: Professional Development Workshop

• March 13–14, 2027 – Mentees are invited and encouraged to attend BFA Art Walls Mural Fest

Phase 3 – Mural Installation

• March 29 – April 16, 2027 – On-Site Mural Installation

Artists should anticipate working multiple consecutive days outdoors and maintain schedule flexibility due to weather conditions.

• April 19–23, 2027 – Rain Delay / Contingency Dates (if needed)

• TBD – Ribbon Cutting & Community Celebration

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applications must be submitted through CaFÉ and include:

• Completed application

• Artist BIO or Statement

• Letter of interest

• 10 work samples

• Description of previous mural or public art experience

Selected artists must commit to a minimum of 120 on-site painting hours and attend all required virtual meetings and professional development sessions.

RULES AND TERMS TO APPLY

Individual artists over the age of 18 are invited to apply.

The artwork submitted must be the applicant's original work.

Late, incomplete, mailed, or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted.

Selected artists must be prepared to work outdoors at 1401 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Artists may be required to work with acrylic, latex and spray paints, climb ladders, operate lifts and transport materials.

Artists selected for the program will enter into a separate mentorship agreement outlining participation requirements and project expectations.

Artists must provide evidence of appropriate general liability insurance. Insurance reimbursement will be available through the program.

Artists are expected to be present during predetermined workdays and hours.

Selected artists grant Business for the Arts Broward and project partners the non-exclusive right to photograph, video record, reproduce, and promote the artwork, artists, and mentorship activities for educational, marketing, and promotional purposes.

Participation constitutes agreement to the program's public art contract requirements, including copyright, licensing, and Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) provisions.

Business for the Arts Broward reserves the right to reject any or all applications and to modify or terminate the application or selection process without prior notice.

VARA (Visual Artist Rights Act): Standard Public Art Contracts between an artist and BFA Broward require that an artist waive rights associated with the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 (VARA) to Business for the Arts of Broward. The selected artist waives any rights he or she may have to claim at present or in the future that the removal of the artwork from its original location constitutes a destruction of the work under Section 106A(a)(3)(B) of the Visual Artists Rights Act because the artwork is "site specific art" or for any other reason. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "site specific art" shall mean artwork created specifically to exist in a certain place such that its removal from that place would be tantamount to its destruction.  

Copyright: Artist will agree to grant to North Broward Christian School and Business for the Arts Broward the non-exclusive right to photograph the artwork, mural production process, zoom info sessions, and any other related activities in creating the mural and to otherwise reproduce it on film, tape, in digital format or in any other reproductive media and to publish the same with identification of the artist.  In addition, the artist may be professionally videotaped at any point during the mural process and grants North Broward Christian School and BFA Broward the non-exclusive right to use the video and to publish same with identification of the artist.  

BFA Broward reserves the right to reject any or all applications and to modify or terminate the application process or the selection process for any reason and without prior notice.

Applicants must:

• Be 18 years or older at the time of submission

• Reside in Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, or Monroe County

• Have reliable transportation

• Be available throughout the duration of the program

• Have completed:

·       1–5 murals or public art projects, OR

·       Several large-scale artworks demonstrating readiness for mural work

• Submit 10 examples of recent artwork

• Submit a written statement describing how participation will support their artistic and professional goals

• Be willing to work outdoors for extended periods

• Be able to climb ladders, and assist with mural installation activities

• Be willing to be trained and operate lift equipment according to safety guidelines

• Attend all required virtual meetings and on-site painting days

Program Timeline

Phase 1 – Artist Selection

• November 16, 2026 – Call to Artists Released

• December 14, 2026 – Application Deadline

• January 4–10, 2027 – Jury review

• January 11, 2027 – Jury & Final Artist Selection

• January 12, 2027 – Artist Notifications

 Phase 2 – Mentorship & Workshops

• January 19, 2027 – Zoom: Kickoff & Orientation

• January 26–29, 2027 – In-person site visit and community forum (YMCA)

• January 29 – February 12, 2027 – Nate Dee & Lori Pratico develop mural design

• February 9, 2027 – Zoom: Professional Development Workshop

• February 15–19, 2027 – Final approvals and permitting process begins

• February 23, 2027 – Zoom: Professional Development Workshop

• March 13–14, 2027 – Mentees are invited and encouraged to attend BFA Art Walls Mural Fest

Phase 3 – Mural Installation

• March 29 – April 16, 2027 – On-Site Mural Installation

Artists should anticipate working multiple consecutive days outdoors and maintain schedule flexibility due to weather conditions.

• April 19–23, 2027 – Rain Delay / Contingency Dates (if needed)

• TBD – Ribbon Cutting & Community Celebration

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applications must be submitted through CaFÉ and include:

• Completed application

• Artist BIO or Statement

• Letter of interest

• 10 work samples

• Description of previous mural or public art experience

Selected artists must commit to a minimum of 120 on-site painting hours and attend all required virtual meetings and professional development sessions.

Applicants must:

• Be 18 years or older at the time of submission

• Reside in Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, or Monroe County

• Have reliable transportation

• Be available throughout the duration of the program

• Have completed:

·       1–5 murals or public art projects, OR

·       Several large-scale artworks demonstrating readiness for mural work

• Submit 10 examples of recent artwork

• Submit a written statement describing how participation will support their artistic and professional goals

• Be willing to work outdoors for extended periods

• Be able to climb ladders, and assist with mural installation activities

• Be willing to be trained and operate lift equipment according to safety guidelines

• Attend all required virtual meetings and on-site painting days