Call Description

Project Goals, Scope, and Timeline

Goal: Produce murals that beautify the new JAS building, celebrate the vibrancy of JAS and the history of Jazz and related forms of music, and engage the community in the process.

Community:

JAS Stakeholders (leadership and staff) & General Public

Stakeholders at JAS will select the artist and inform the creation of the mural designs. The general public will be engaged in community activities connected to the mural's production.

Mural Location: 

There are two main mural locations - one mural will be located on the exterior of the new JAS building, and the second will be in the main stairwell and hallway.

General Project Timeline (2025):

• June-July: Artist Selection Process
• July: Mural Arts Workshop and Q&A in Aspen, CO - July 26 from 3 - 5 pm at the Red Brick Center for the Arts
• September: Design Creation and JAS approval of Interior Mural Design
• October: Interior Mural Production
• November: Interior Mural Installation, Complete by November 21st
• December: Interior Mural Dedication
• Winter 2026: Approval of Exterior mural design
• Spring 2026: Production & Installation of exterior mural

TBD on the exact timeline for design approvals and production of the exterior mural

Aspen Co-Lead Artist Scope of Work:

• Work with Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP) co-lead artist to meet with stakeholders, co-design the murals, and participate in design reviews
• Develop and plan, together with the MAP co-lead artist, any community engagement activities or paint days
• Participate in learning sessions provided by the MAP co-lead artist in the mural production approach, how to prepare for installation, and how to set up and lead community paint days
• Work together with the MAP co-lead artist, JAS, and MAP to organize production steps, materials, and supplies
• Produce the portion of the murals not produced by the artist in Philadelphia
• Install and complete the mural production
• Participate in meetings to advance the project with JAS, MAP, and the collaborating artist
• Collaborate on public programming and communications about the project
• Manage an assistant artist as needed, and the mural production site when in production

Miriam Singer, Philadelphia-based Co-Lead Artist Scope of Work:

See below to read about the Co-Lead Artist, Miriam Singer

• Travel to Aspen, CO to meet with the JAS team there, support delivery of a Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP) workshop, meet some artists and answer questions about our process, participate in site visits 
• Participate in the Aspen co-lead artist selection process as a panelist
• Work with Aspen co-lead artist to meet with stakeholders, co-design the murals, and participate in design reviews 
• Develop and plan, together with the Aspen co-lead artist, any community engagement activities or paint days
• Mentor or provide instruction to the co-lead artist in the mural production approach, how to prepare for installation, and how to set up and lead community paint days
• Work together with the Aspen co-lead artist, JAS, and MAP to organize production steps, materials, and supplies
• Produce the portion of the murals not produced by the artist in Aspen.
• Collaborate on public programming and communications about the project
• Travel to Aspen, CO for the mural installation, and install and complete the mural production together with the Aspen co-lead artist. Also, provide training to a group of local artists on the production process while installing the mural.

Mural Arts Responsibilities:

• Travel to Aspen, CO to meet with the JAS team there, lead a Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP) workshop for artists, meet some artists and answer questions about our process, participate in site visits 
• Support the artists through the mural project process
• Contract, manage, and compensate Philadelphia muralist
• Provide virtual mentorship and mural project management support to JAS.
• Order mural supplies together with JAS for mural production.
• Travel to Aspen, CO to support the final phase of the mural project.

JAS Responsibilities:

• Host visitors, MAP, and artist, in Aspen, providing recommendations for lodging and travel as needed.
• Provide spaces and logistics for local mural production and any public programs
• Contract, manage, and compensate the Aspen co-lead muralist and assistants
• Manage the project on-site and provide any necessary equipment for installation
• Order mural supplies together with MAP for mural production.
• Lead communications, documentation, and promotion of the project and programs
• Support stakeholder engagement and design development 
• Assist with reviews and permissions 
• Support the production and installation process 
• Manage project budget 
• Organize and coordinate public programs

Artist Fees and Budget:

The total artist compensation for the co-lead artist is $12,000. This fee does not include the mural production supplies, which will either be provided by JAS or funds will be provided separately for their purchase. The co-lead artist will have access to hiring an assistant artist for up to an additional $2,000, specifically for production engagement and installation support. JAS must approve the assistant artist, and they will also contract them. Mural production expenses will be finalized together with JAS, MAP, and the Philadelphia co-lead artist.

About JAS

Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) is a multi-faceted 501(c)3 not-for-profit music performance and education organization whose history embraces presentation of iconic American Artists ranging from Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr. and Ray Charles to Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffet, The Black Eyed Peas, John Mayer, Stevie Nicks and Sting.  JAS has utilized the June Experience, a multi-day music discovery festival, and the Labor Day Experience, presenting today’s hottest performers, to build a strong local base of audiences and sponsorship, which have helped to generate ongoing donor support for the charitable philanthropic jazz and related forms of music performance and education programs of the organization.  JAS has generated over $10 Million for these programs since their inception in 1996.

JAS is entering its next phase by transforming an iconic Aspen gem into JAS’ permanent home, The Paul JAS Center,  in downtown Aspen.  The Paul JAS Center will become a lively community gathering place for cultural, educational and special events, and a vital year-round asset.

For more information about the Paul JAS Center: https://jazzaspensnowmass.org/jas-center-the-red-onion

For more information about JAS: https://jazzaspensnowmass.org/

About Mural Arts Philadelphia & the Mural Arts Institute

Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. 

For 30 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts engages communities in nearly 100 public art projects each year, and maintains its growing collection through a restoration initiative. Core Mural Arts programs such as Art Education, Restorative Justice, and Porch Light yield unique, project-based learning opportunities for thousands of youth and adults. 

In recent years, Mural Arts has evolved into a multi-disciplinary arts organization exploring the intersection of muralism, public art and contemporary art. In addition, Mural Arts has collaborated with an increasing range of community, civic, cultural and development organizations to realize projects that have expanded the city’s public art portfolio in new and exciting ways. Increasingly, Mural Arts has assisted in private organizations in commissioning artworks that engage the communities where they are working. 

For more information: https://www.muralarts.org/ 

As part of Mural Arts Philadelphia, the Mural Arts Institute (MAI) is dedicated to sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences that have shaped our approach to community-centered artmaking. At its core, MAI seeks to build connections, sustain relationships, and share skills about the practices that have been instrumental in creating works of public art with Philadelphia citizens. We work with artists, arts administrators, and community leaders across the world to align knowledge, amplify voices, empower change, and distribute resources that move us all toward a more inclusive and equitable future for socially engaged public art.

Find resources in our library and more at www.muralartsinstitute.com

For this project, the Mural Arts Institute team will be leading the project development and implementation with JAS.

About Miriam Singer, Co-Lead Artist on this Project, based in Philadelphia

Miriam Singer is a Philadelphia-based artist who combines drawing, painting, and printmaking to create layered, imaginative interpretations of city life. Her work explores urban environments through a blend of observation and invention, often merging architectural details, public spaces, and abstract forms.

Singer has created murals and public artworks for organizations including the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Philadelphia International Airport, and the Albright-Knox Public Art Program in Buffalo, NY. Her mural Compass Map (2020), created in partnership with NewCourtland Senior Services and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, features drawings of neighborhood architecture surrounding NewCourtland buildings in Philadelphia. It was painted with the help of local seniors, who contributed to both the design and the painting process.

An active educator, Singer teaches printmaking at Fleisher Art Memorial, where she leads workshops in etching and screen printing on fabric. Her collaborative, community-based approach extends to her print projects as well. Such as creating screen prints to support mural fundraising and public engagement.

Her work has been exhibited in galleries and alternative spaces including Paradigm Gallery, James Oliver Gallery, The Fairmount House, LG Tripp Gallery, and Vox Populi. Singer is a member of the artist collective Space 1026, where she also maintains a studio. She holds an MFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and a BA from Brandeis University.

Application Requirements

Preliminary Consultation / Information Meeting 

Artists who are interested in submitting their qualifications are encouraged to contact us with any questions about the project, its scope, or requirements, or how to complete an application. Artists/teams can obtain more information in the following ways: 

• Submit a question via email. Questions will be answered directly. Questions and answers will be posted in an addendum to the RFQ  on the JAS website here:
• Attend the Q&A Session at the Red Brick Center for the Arts on Saturday, July 26, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Submission Requirements 

For the initial submission, please provide the following information: 

• An application checklist including the names and contact information for the artist and an inventory of all material that is being submitted. 
• A letter of interest that addresses: 
  • What are your artistic connections to Jazz and related forms of music, culture, or history? How would you see those influencing a mural design? 
  • Why would it be important to you to do this project? 
• Your qualifications listed above related to community engagement and mural interest/experience
• A CV or resume (up to 2 pages). 
• Images of past completed work that will help us understand your qualifications for this project. 
• A list of the images provided, including the following information:
• Image name, Artist’s name 
• Title of artwork, Location (if a public artwork), Date of Completion, Budget or Price 
• Medium and Dimensions 
• Brief description 
• Optional: If you’d like to include references who can speak to your creative practice and ability to work on a project of this nature. Please include contact info such as email and/or phone number. 

Submission Instructions & Timeline

Artists interested in applying for this opportunity should collect the required materials above and submit their application using this link.

Timeline

• July 26 3 p.m.,  Q&A Session & Workshop with Mural Arts Philadelphia
• July 29 Midnight, Deadline for submissions 
• August 8-11 Finalists will be contacted and interviews scheduled
• August 11-15 Interviews with finalists (please confirm your availability)
• August 18-22 Artist Selected & Contracted
• August 26-29 Artist Onboarded w/Mural Arts and Collaborating Lead Artist

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to any artist who meets the Eligibility Criteria listed in this section and the Qualifications listed below. 

• JAS and MAP are looking for muralists or artists “ready” for this opportunity. While experience producing/installing murals is not required, JAS and MAP seek an artist with enough painting skills and experience to work on a large scale and produce their first mural.
• The artist should be comfortable working on ladders, lifts, and/or scaffolding. 
• This opportunity is focused on artists located in the Roaring Fork Valley area (Aspen to Parachute).
• Artists must be U.S. citizens or have U.S. work authorization. 

Qualifications and Review Criteria

Artist resumes, portfolios, and letters of interest will be reviewed for the following ideal criteria:

• Strong design and painting skills with readiness and motivation to work large scale
• Strong collaboration skills and/or experience
• Eager to learn, engage, and incorporate community in this project
• Facilitation, teaching,  or community engagement experience or interest
• Visual aesthetic appropriate for a large-scale community  mural 
• Inspiration or connection with the mural subject

Process

• Artist submissions will be reviewed by an Advisory Committee, consisting of artistic advisors and JAS leadership and stakeholders, who will identify a short list of finalists according to the review criteria outlined above. 
• JAS and MAP leadership will interview finalists and make a recommendation based on the interviews, the qualifications that have been submitted, and any important references.
• The CEO, President & Founder of JAS will review the recommendations and make the final determination of the selection.