Call Description

The City of Hopkins is seeking proposals for a signature mural to be completed at a key location in the city. This select public art opportunity will support the community of Hopkins and Light Rail Transit riders through creative placemaking, wayfinding, and traffic calming.  

Hopkins, Minnesota, 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, is a dynamic confluence of historic and modern sensibilities with a mission to Inspire, Educate, Involve, and Communicate. This public art opportunity is intended to support the community of Hopkins and the City’s goals to: 

• Aesthetically activate a gateway intersection 

• Create a sense of arrival 

• Entice visitors to Hopkins 

• Highlight or support a cultural asset 

• Reinforce Hopkins’ vibrant art community 

The City of Hopkins is the commissioning organization.  This mural will be the seventh commissioned artwork of the Hopkins Mural Project that began in 2023. To view previous projects visit our Public Art webpage here: https://www.hopkinsartscenter.com/180/Public-Art-in-Hopkins   

SITE INFORMATION: 

The Hopkins Public Works building, built in 1981, holds the northeast corner of 17th Avenue and Excelsior Boulevard at 11100 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343. This intersection is a key gateway between Hopkins’ downtown area and the Green Line Extension Light Rail Transit (LRT) Shady Oak station planned to open in 2027. The Public Works south facing façade provides a unique opportunity to greet visitors, announce arrival, and aid in wayfinding. Additionally, the mural will activate and beautify the dated structure that has become more visible, a result of redevelopment since it was built.

The area of the mural is approximately 20' tall by 80' long, ~1600 sq.ft.     

The building currently features architecturally decorative metal bands spanning horizontally across the wall face. These could be incorporated into the mural or removed, depending on the artist’s design. The existing fenestration may be incorporated into the design by using graphic window film. (See attached document for images, site plan, and additional information.) 

Concept and theme: 

The mural must feature a bird, or birds, identified by the National Audubon Society as vulnerable in the Hopkins area. Designs should feature avian imagery from this list of high, moderate, or low vulnerability bird species for Hopkins zip code.  Follow this link to use the tool: How Climate Change Will Affect Birds in Your Area | Audubon  

The list of birds below have already been featured in previously completed murals, and should be avoided or may be used to complement birds not yet featured:

• Red-headed Woodpecker
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
• Clay-colored Sparrow
• Field Sparrow
• Golden-winged Warbler
• Scarlet Tanager
• Indigo Bunting

Target Audience 

Primarily LRT users, as well as other visitors and residents of Hopkins. Excelsior Boulevard is a main traffic artery. 

Practical Considerations 

As the work area is adjacent to a parking lot, access is plentiful, but a lift and/or scaffolding will be required and should be considered in budget planning. The existing paint is in generally good condition, with the exception of an area approximately 2’ x 2’ with some peeling and may require some light preparation. 

BUDGET: 

The total artist budget for this project is up to $32,000, inclusive of all artist-related costs. The proposed budget must cover all aspects of the artist’s scope of work, including artwork design, materials, surface preparation, installation, insurance, travel, meetings with City of Hopkins staff as necessary, and all related incidental expenses. Please note, the commissioned artist may be asked by the Public Art Advisory Committee for up to three design amendments or refinements in advance of approval, budget accordingly.

Selected finalists/finalist teams will each receive $1,000 to develop their concept proposals, including drawings, for the second round of evaluation. 

In-kind Assistance 

The City of Hopkins will work with the artist(s) to help make the project a success, including logistic assistance related to water access and material storage during installation.  Hopkins Public Works staff will work with the artist(s) to make the space safe, including setting up traffic cones or barricades as needed. If requested, the metal bands on the building façade could be removed by Hopkins Public Works at no cost to the artist. 

SELECTION PROCESS: 

From the submitted applications, up to three Artists/Artist Teams will be selected as finalists and receive $1,000 honorarium to develop their concept and designs.  Finalist’s refined proposals will be evaluated by Hopkins Public Art Advisory Committee, as well as reviewed by other stakeholders including Public Works employees. 

TENTATIVE TIMELINE:  

March 17, 2026: Call posted 

April 24, 2026: Submission deadline 

May 8, 2026: Finalist selection notification 

May 22, 2026: Finalist designs due 

June 5, 2026: Selection notification 

September 30, 2026: Deadline for completion of painting/installation 

Application Requirements

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Artists / Artist Teams will submit:

1. A minimum of 5 images of at least three previously completed murals representative of style(s) and approach.
2. Resume or C.V.
3. A written description of the intended concept for the mural or murals they are proposing.
4. While welcome, rough design drawings are not required nor expected in initial application phase. Applications will not be penalized for excluding site specific design images.
5. A proposed budget for the project.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is open to all U.S. artists with at least three examples of previously completed murals that demonstrate the ability to create large scale, durable public art.