Call Description

READ FULL RFP HERE (Before applying) 

CALL FOR NEW ENGLAND-BASED ARTISTS 2025

PUAM will commission twenty (20) 8’ x 8’ murals to be curated as follows:

Fourteen (14) murals created by selected New England-based artists

Up to six (6) murals created by Salem-based artists participating in our Creative Neighbor Program, supported through installation by two artist mentors

Artists are also encouraged to apply as mentors for the Creative Neighbor Program participants. This is a unique opportunity to support local artists while contributing to the collective spirit of PUAM. 

WHAT IS THE THEME?

RAÍCES | ROOTS celebrates the deep and diverse connections people make to place, community, and culture (specifically to the Point Neighborhood and the City of Salem). This year’s theme invites muralists to explore the literal and metaphorical meanings of “Salem’s roots”:

The roots we’re born into
The families who’ve lived in Salem for generations, the cultural traditions passed down, and the histories that shape our neighborhoods.

The roots we choose
The journeys that brought people here from around the world, the resilience of immigrant communities, and the new beginnings that continue to define Salem.

The roots we cultivate
The ways we invest in our city, build community across differences, and plant seeds for a more inclusive and vibrant future.

Note: While we recognize that Salem’s witch history is an important part of the city’s identity, this project invites artists to look beyond that singular narrative. We encourage proposals that explore the roots of Salem’s many communities, especially those that have historically been overlooked and reflect the richness of our city’s cultural stories.

This theme overlaps with the upcoming celebrations for the City of Salem’s 400th Anniversary, milestones that invite us to reflect on the layered histories of place and people. As we honor those who originated here and those who have made this place home across generations, we recognize the broader story of a nation continually shaped by migration, resilience, and reinvention. We are all a part of this history because we are all rooted here, whether they are long-standing, deep, or just beginning to take root. We all contribute to the wellness and beauty of Salem, not only through our presence, but through the homes we build, the stories we share, the labor we give, and our involvement and participation that uplift our communities and shape the fabric of this city.

While native plants root easily in familiar soil, so can plants from other regions, by adapting and thriving with care and intention. We believe people and culture do the same, taking root across geographies and generations, growing in unexpected ways.

Application Requirements

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. A written artist statement
2. Up to 4 relevant work samples
3. A sketch of the proposed mural
4. Must be based in New England (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, or RI)

Artists are required to submit a visual proposal or sketch of the mural, along with a written statement describing the inspiration behind their submission, what inspired it, how it came to be, or where the idea originated. The written statement will play a significant role in the judging.

Eligibility Criteria

We’re seeking artists whose work demonstrates:

1. A compelling connection to the theme “Raíces | Roots”
2. Experience or interest in public art and mural making

We especially encourage applications from artists who have a rooted connection to Salem, Massachusetts.

We will prioritize submissions that…

…resonate with residents of the Point neighborhood, a vibrant, primarily low-income, immigrant, and Latino community. 

…reflect the cultural and historic relevance of Salem’s history and the Point’s cultural history.

…from artists who live, have lived and/or work in or worked in Salem.

…includes a detailed plan and a written statement that articulates the connection between the main theme and the mural sketch. Should the design presented by the selected artist not connect to the theme, PUAM reserves the right to provide constructive feedback and send back for revisions.

We will NOT select submissions that: 

…are obscene, inflammatory, political, or inappropriate in any way.

…that fall outside of the listed constraints regarding size, length, and topic