Deadline: Monday, May 24, 2021, 5:00pm

Apply here: bit.ly/mural-app-21

The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) is seeking an artist to work closely with community members, residents, and APANO staff to create a new outdoor mural at the Orchards of 82nd, a mixed-used development and APANO’s home in East Portland’s Jade District.

Background on the project

In 2019, APANO moved into the Orchards of 82nd (O82), a 48-unit affordable housing development alongside APANO’s offices and 5,000 sq. ft. community space at SE 82nd Ave. and Division St. Working with O82 and greater Jade District residents, we developed an O82 Art Plan that outlines the community’s desires for arts and cultural activities at the new development. Since then, we have been building relationships with residents, created three original interior murals in APANO’s community space, created an artist residency program with BIPOC artists and residents, and developed numerous art exhibitions in the O82 lobby. We are excited to continue creating socially-engaged, participatory, and meaningful creative opportunities led by the voices and visions of O82 residents and community members.

In 2020, APANO was selected to participate in the Public Art & Civic Engagement (PACE) Capacity Building Initiative led by the Mural Arts Institute, a program of the renowned public art organization Mural Arts Philadelphia. Through this initiative, we are working closely with the Mural Arts Institute to build the capacity of local artists in working with the community to produce two socially-engaged, participatory public art projects from 2021-2023. The selected artist will receive technical support and participate in deep learning opportunities with Mural Arts Institute as part of its Artist Catalyst program.

What will the project look like?

From August 2021-August 2022, the artist will work closely with APANO to:

1. Design and lead a community engagement process that includes accessible opportunities for O82 residents to meaningfully participate in the design, production, and creation of the mural
2. Evaluate and use community feedback to lead the production of the mural
3. Document and reflect on the project, its goals, and the success of its engagement strategies
4. Participate in multiple learning opportunities as part of the Mural Arts Institute’s Artist Catalyst program, including:
   
5. The PACE Incubator, a two-week deep dive on public art and community engagement, from July 26-30 and August 9-13, 2021 (online)
6. Annual Mural Arts Institute symposia
8. Hands-on project management support and a staff artist mentor from the Mural Arts Institute
10. Reflection and learning activities in collaboration with PACE Initiative’s Learning and Reflection Partner, Sherman Cultural Strategies
12. Other learning activities in collaboration with APANO to collectively learn with and from a national network of socially-engaged public art practitioners
13. 
    

Site

The mural will be located on a concrete wall in the back courtyard of O82, set against a playground. This site was chosen overwhelmingly by O82 residents in a poll that APANO conducted on various potential mural locations around the building. The wall measures approximately 28 ft. long x 14 ft. tall.

Mural site: approx. 28 ft. x 14 ft. concrete wall

Timeline

Monday, May 24, 2021 -- Applications due by 5pm
Monday, June 7, 2021 -- Applicants notified of selection decisions
July 26-30 and August 9-13, 2021 -- PACE Incubator *Artist must be able to attend the PACE Incubator
August 1, 2021 -- Mural project begins
August 2022 -- Mural project completed
August-September 2022 -- Reflection and evaluation period
Summer/Fall 2022 -- Art & Environment Symposium (optional)
Spring 2023 -- PACE Final Symposium

Budget

The artist will receive an artist fee of $15,000 for leading the community engagement and mural production process. Up to $20,000 is available to the artist for mural project expenses, such as supplies, equipment, assistants, community stipends, space, refreshments, etc. The artist will work with APANO to determine the final mural project expenses budget.

Should I apply?

We are seeking an artist who has demonstrated experience in leading community-driven creative projects and some experience in mural or large-scale artmaking. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to applicants who live or work in East Portland and/or who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). The artist will be required to participate in the PACE Incubator (see dates above) and confirm their availability in their application. Teams are welcome to apply and split the $15,000 artist fee among team members.

How to apply

To apply, please fill out this Google Form by Monday, May 24, 2021 at 5:00pm. The application includes the following narrative response questions and attachments. Applicants may respond to narrative questions in writing OR by video (2 minutes maximum per response):

• Why would you like to participate in this project?
• What experiences do you bring in leading community-driven creative projects? Provide at least one example of your involvement in past community-driven projects, their successes, and their challenges.
• What experiences do you bring in mural or large-scale artmaking?
• What communities do you belong to or actively participate in?
• If you live or work in East Portland, please describe your connection to East Portland.
• Please attach 5-10 digital images of examples of your work that can give us a sense of your skills and approaches to previous projects.
• Short written bio (under 200 words)
• Current resume or CV (optional)

Other questions? Need help with your application?

To support applicants in the application process, APANO will hold online, drop-in “office hours” to address questions that you may have about the project or application. Anyone interested in applying for this opportunity is welcome to join and ask questions. The office hours will be hosted by Candace Kita, Cultural Strategy Director, and Roshani Thakore, Cultural Work Coordinator. If you’d like to join, please sign up below to receive a Zoom link:

Wednesday, May 12, 12pm-1pm

Monday, May 17, 12pm-1pm

If you cannot make the office hours, need assistance with preparing your application, or have any other questions, please contact Candace Kita, Cultural Strategy Director, at candace@apano.org or Roshani Thakore, Cultural Work Coordinator, at roshani@apano.org.

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About APANO

APANO unites Asians and Pacific Islanders to build power, develop leaders, and advance equity through organizing, advocacy, community development, and cultural work. We envision a just world where Asians and Pacific Islanders and communities who share our aspirations and struggles have the power, resources, and voice to determine our own futures, and where we work in solidarity to drive political, social, economic, and cultural change. Find out more about our work at www.apano.org.

About the Mural Arts Institute

The Mural Arts Institute was established in 2017 as an initiative of Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nation’s largest public art program dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. The Institute is dedicated to advancing research on and development of participatory and socially-engaged public art practices and centers its approach around connection: building networks, developing partnerships, and convening artists, community and partners to collaborate around participatory, socially engaged public art practices. Our work is in service to a larger movement that values equity, fairness and progress across all of society. We bring the Mural Arts model to other change-oriented cities across the country to help build their capacity to sustain community-driven public art projects. We work with artists, activists, arts organizations, cultural institutions, municipal governments and more with the goal of igniting change with public art. Learn more at muralarts.org/institute and follow along on social media @muralarts on Twitter and Instagram, @MuralArtsPhiladelphia on Facebook, and phillymuralarts on YouTube.



This programming message brought to you by APANO Communities United Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.