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CHOOSING AN ARTIST

There are usually 2 ways to choose an artist for your project:

1. DIRECT SELECTION

Direct selection is how we have received most of our commissions. This process entails a client being familiar with an artist's work, directly contacting them & hiring them to complete their project.

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2. CALL FOR ARTISTS

A "Call for Artists" entails forming a committee (with an odd number of people), the client will advertise that they'd like a mural and will be voting on it. A "Call for Artists" is kind of like a contest. Artists will compete for your bid. The final selection will be voted upon by the committee you created.

The "Call for Artists" should list: the budget, location, the theme, who is sponsoring the mural, how long you'll be accepting submissions and when the final decision will be made (voted upon). You also should include: size parameters for artist submissions, the format: digital (a jpeg/png/tif of the artwork) or the original proof (the actual painting) and how artwork will be returned if you have requested an original artwork.

INTERVIEWING AN ARTIST

AN ARTIST'S PORTFOLIO TELLS YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!

  • Is the artist talented?  Do you like their work? Do they have a variety of drawings/paintings in their portfolio?  Does the artist’s existing work exhibit the quality you want your mural to have?   

  • Does the artist have experience working on large-scale projects?

  • If the artist has no mural experience, is this a realistic first project for them?  Will they be successful?  Are you willing to give inexperienced artists the support they need to ensure their success/to make a good mural?

 

DOES YOUR ARTIST HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY?

  • If your project requires community participation, does the artist have experience working with community members to produce a mural?

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING AN ARTIST...

  • Does the artist have a commitment to on-site safety?  

  • Ask for references: When you call the artist’s previous clients, do they seem happy with the work?  Would they work with the artist again?

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