Call Description

Commissioning Organizations: One Columbia for Arts and Culture & United Way of the Midlands
Budget: $21,250
Call Type: Regional Call – Public Art Mural
Eligibility: South Carolina Residents Only
Deadline to Respond: October 2, 2025
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Project Overview
One Columbia for Arts and Culture and United Way of the Midlands is seeking an artist or artist team to create a vibrant public mural that celebrates the United Way of the Midland’s 100th anniversary and honors a century of service, collaboration, and community impact. For the past 100 years, our mission has remained rooted in the belief that we are stronger together—that by uniting across differences, we can build a thriving, equitable community for all. This mural should reflect that enduring spirit, with a strong focus on people, diversity, and the communities we serve across Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Richland counties. We envision a design that uses United Way’s bright, vivid brand colors and incorporates recognizable local landmarks and symbols. We are especially interested in concepts that use multiple panels to represent different generations or eras of our history. Community engagement is encouraged but optional and we welcome creative proposals that include opportunities for volunteer, donor, and public participation in the mural’s creation or in sharing the artwork across other locations. This is an opportunity to create a lasting visual legacy that celebrates unity, service, and the power of community. Further community input will be available to the awarded artist.
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Project Details
• Surface: Painted stucco and concrete wall
• Size: Approximately 1,100 square feet
• Location: 1818 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201
The mural must be suitable for a high-traffic, outdoor environment and able to endure South Carolina's weather extremes—including high UV exposure, humidity, and heat. Artists will be responsible for all aspects of mural installation, including surface preparation and the application of a UV- and graffiti-resistant topcoat capable of withstanding ongoing maintenance and cleaning.
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Budget
The selected artist will receive a $21,250 to cover all expenses related to design, travel, lodging, materials, equipment, labor, insurance, and installation. Payment will be made in two installments:
• 50% upon execution of contract
• 50% upon final approval and completion of the mural
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Timeline
• RFQ Application Opens: August 29, 2025
• RFQ Application Deadline: October 2, 2025
• Selection Committee Scoring Period #1: October 6 - 17, 2025
• Notification of Short List: October 23, 2025
• Conceptual Design Due: November 20, 2025
• Artist Presentation to Selection Committee: December 1 - 5, 2025
• Notification of Selection: December 12, 2025
• Installation Completion Date: March 13, 2026
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Contact
For more information or to submit materials, please contact:
Pamela Zeljak
One Columbia for Arts and Culture

pamela@onecolumbiasc.com
803-254-5008
 

Application Requirements

Initial Application Requirements (RFQ stage)

A selection panel composed United Way of the Midlands staff, local arts professionals, and community stakeholders will review all qualified applications. 
Initial Application Must Include:

• Contact Information – Please be sure your name, address, phone, email are up to date on your CAFE artist's account. We will use the address on your CAFE account to check eligibility.
• Portfolio/Work Samples (4) – images of past work (with titles, locations, dates, and brief descriptions). Please check that all of the images you are submitting through CAFE are fully update with the requested information.
• Brief Statement of Interest – why you want to work on this project and how your experience connects to the themes. Please include relevant public art or mural experience.

Conceptual Design Report is only required if the artist is shortlisted after this first stage. Each of the three shortlisted artists will receive a $250 stipend for submitting a complete Conceptual Design Report.

• Shortlisted artists must submit a Conceptual Design Report that includes:
• Artist Statement & Vision – explanation of the concept, themes, and artistic approach.
• Visual Concept – drawings, renderings, or mockups of the proposed mural design.
• Artist Biography/Introduction – brief background about the artist or team, including relevant experience.
• Itemized Budget & Proposed Materials – outline of costs and materials to be used.
• Maintenance Plan – strategy for long-term care of the mural, including projected upkeep costs.

Proposals will be evaluated using a rubric based on the following criteria:
• Artistic quality and clarity of vision
• Alignment with United Way of the Midland’s goals and established themes
• Durability of materials and feasibility of maintenance

Eligibility Criteria

Residency: Open only to artists or artist teams who are legal residents of South Carolina.

Experience: Applicants should demonstrate the ability to successfully design, manage, and complete a large-scale outdoor mural, including surface preparation and protective coating.

Capacity: Must be able to work within the stated budget ($21,250 all-inclusive) and complete the project by the March 13, 2026 deadline.

Collaboration: Willingness to engage with the community and incorporate public/volunteer participation elements into the project. Community engagement is encouraged but optional.

Professional Requirements: Must carry or obtain insurance (as required in the final contract) and enter into a formal agreement with One Columbia for Arts and Culture.