RFQ
StreetSmARTS Mural Program Artist Pool: Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The San Francisco Arts Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone. We affirm the sovereign rights of their community as First Peoples and are committed to supporting the traditional and contemporary evolution of the American Indian community and uplifting contemporary indigenous voices.
RACIAL EQUITY STATEMENT
The San Francisco Arts Commission is committed to creating a city where all artists and cultural workers have the freedom, resources and platform to share their stories, art and culture and where race does not predetermine one’s success in life. We also acknowledge that we occupy traditional and unceded Ohlone land. Fueled by these beliefs, we commit to addressing the systemic inequities within our agency, the City and County of San Francisco and the broader arts and culture sector. This work requires that we focus on race as we confront inequities of the past, reveal inequities of the present and develop effective strategies to move all of us towards an equitable future.
Project Overview
The San Francisco Arts Commission invites artists and artist teams residing in the United States to submit qualifications for the StreetSmARTS Mural Program Artist Pool.
Artists will be compensated at a rate of up to $60 per square foot, depending on site conditions and the complexity of the mural design. This fee is inclusive of the artist fee, materials, and all other associated costs.
Project Description
StreetSmARTS is a partnership between the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) and San Francisco Public Works (PW). The program connects artists with private property owners and City Departments to create vibrant murals on eligible sites throughout San Francisco, enhancing the character of their property and surrounding neighborhood, while deterring ongoing vandalism.
Site eligibility is not limited to properties that have received graffiti Notices of Violation. Eligible mural sites may include:
- Properties or locations frequently subject to tagging
- Publicly visible walls in locations that would benefit from sustained visual care and stewardship (including areas historically affected by illegal dumping)
- Sites where murals may meaningfully enhance the public experience of place, contribute to neighborhood identity, or support community well-being
For each mural opportunity, SFAC staff will curate a shortlist of qualified artists from the StreetSmARTS Artist Pool whose artistic approach is well suited to the site context and neighborhood. In keeping with the program’s goal of supporting equitable artist representation, geographic distribution of opportunities, and meaningful participation by San Francisco–based artists, SFAC may also limit the number of StreetSmARTS mural commissions awarded to any single artist during the term of the Pool. The selected artist will work directly with the property owner or project partner to develop the mural design. The selected artist will work directly with the property owner to develop the mural design.
The artist and property owner must agree on the final design and execute an Agreement Form between Artist and Property Owner. Artists will contract with Intersection for the Arts, which administers project payments and insurance coverage for StreetSmARTS mural projects.
The Arts Commission must also approve the proposed design prior to issuing funding and moving forward with the mural. Murals commissioned through the StreetSmARTS program do not become part of the Civic Art Collection.Selection Process
Artist Review Panel: The applications will be reviewed by a Review Panel, who will score the artists on the selection criteria listed below. Artists who score within a competitive range will be included in the StreetSmARTS Artist Pool for approval by the Arts Commission.
Arts Commission Approval: The Artist Review Panel’s recommendation will be submitted first to the Visual Arts Committee (VAC), a subcommittee of the Arts Commission and then to the full Arts Commission for approval. All Artist Review Panel recommendations are subject to the recommendation of the Visual Arts Committee and approval by the Full Arts Commission.
All Arts Commission meetings and Public Art Review Panel meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Arts Commission website at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. To check the meeting schedule for public art projects, please go to our calendar.
Muralist Selection: When a property owner chooses to participate in the StreetSmARTS Program, they will work with Arts Commission staff, who will identify a shortlist of qualified artists from the StreetSmARTS Artist Pool or other approved artist pools. The StreetSmARTS Artist Pool will be valid for a two-year period. If you are selected for a mural opportunity, Arts Commission staff will contact you to discuss your interest and availability.
ARTIST SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria. Per City contracting requirements, artist applicants who are registered as a Local Business Enterprise will be given a rating bonus of 10% relative to other applicants.
- Artistic Merit: Artistic Merit may be judged by such measures as originality of concept and artistic vision; the degree to which the work engages the viewer emotionally, intellectually, spiritually; the quality of craftsmanship or mastery of skills and techniques. Artistic merit may also be credited to artwork that reflects a significant or direct relationship between the artist and distinct racial or cultural communities.
- Relevant Skills & Experience: Review Panels and the Commission shall consider the assessed ability of an artist to successfully implement a proposed project, such as the ability to work constructively with other project stakeholders, meet deadlines, willingness to resolve issues as they arise, and generally manage the demands of the project. Cultural competency and/or significant connection between the artist and the project constituency, or experience that may particularly qualify an artist, may also be considered.
- Meaningful Connection: Applicants will briefly describe their meaningful connection to certain districts and/or neighborhoods in San Francisco.
- Approach to Public-Facing Work: Consideration may be given to the artist’s experience and approach to creating work in highly visible public settings and their ability to respond to site context and conditions.
How To Apply
Applications are available through SlideRoom, an online application system for calls for entry. There is no charge to artists for using SlideRoom. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed or hand-delivered will not be considered.
Applications will not be accepted after the May 1, 11:59 p.m. (PDT) deadline.
Application materials include:
1. Resume
- 10,000 characters maximum.
- If you are applying as a team, please include your team/studio resume. If that is not available, please combine the individual resumes (one right after the other) of each team member into one document.
2. Meaningful Connection
- 600 characters maximum.
- Please describe any meaningful connection you may have to a district or neighborhood in San Francisco. Examples may inlcude currently residing in the area, or have previously lived there, or maintaining another significant personal, cultural, and/or professional connection.
3. Interest in StreetSmARTS Programs & Approach to Public-Facing Work
- 600 characters maximum.
- Please briefly describe your interest in participating in the StreetSmARTS program and your approach to creating murals in highly visible public spaces, including working with distinct site conditions, property owners, or project partners.
4. Ten images of previous work
- SlideRoom accepts all image file types up to 5MB. Images should at least 72 dpi and no larger than 1500 x 1500 pixels
- For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each project.
5. Image Descriptions
- When you upload your images, SlideRoom will prompt you to fill out image descriptions. Please include the title, medium, dimensions, and year for each work. You may also include a brief statement (2 sentences maximum) about each work.
Check out our How to Apply to Calls for helpful tips on how to submit the most competitive application.
Please note that Arts Commission staff will be available to answer questions about this call until 5:00 PM (PST) on the deadline date, May 1, 2026.
SlideRoom technical support is available Monday – Saturday by email, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (PST) support@slideroom.com.
Project Timeline
|
Review Panel Meeting 1 |
Mid-May 2026 |
|
VAC approval of recommended artists |
May 20, 2026 |
|
Full Commission approval of recommended artists |
June 1, 2026 |
Eligibility
Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists who reside in the United States. Entries not meeting eligibility guidelines will be withdrawn from consideration. Please note: StreetSmARTS project budgets do not include funding for artist travel or lodging, and applicants should take this into consideration when applying.