Call Description

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

City of Lancaster, California

Lancaster BLVD Crosswalk Murals: Cedar and Ehrlich (Elm) Intersections

Issued by: City of Lancaster / Parks, Arts, Recreation & Community Services (PARCS) Department

Call Open: June 2, 2026

Proposal Deadline: June 30, 2026

Project Overview

The City of Lancaster is seeking proposals from qualified artists or artist teams to design and install a decorative crosswalk mural at a key intersection on Lancaster BLVD, located in the heart of the City’s vibrant arts and culture corridor, The BLVD Cultural District. The City will commission a total of two artists or artist teams to complete murals at the Cedar and Ehrlich (Elm) intersections.

This highly visible mural project will transform a key pedestrian crossing into a visually engaging and community-centered work of art that celebrates Lancaster’s identity, enhances safety, and reinforces The BLVD as a welcoming, walkable destination for residents and visitors alike.

Crosswalk murals are part of Lancaster’s ongoing commitment to “Art Everywhere” — a citywide vision to integrate creativity, culture, and safety into the daily life of our community.

Purpose

The Lancaster BLVD crosswalk murals advance the City’s adopted Public Arts Master Plan (2025) vision — to make art visible in everyday life, “drawing inspiration from our diverse community, welcoming visitors, and fostering a safe, enjoyable atmosphere that celebrates what makes our city unique.”

Located at the cross-section of creativity and civic life, this project unites art, safety, and community connection. It aligns directly with the Master Plan’s guiding principles that emphasize accessibility, inclusivity, and engagement — ensuring that art belongs everywhere in Lancaster.

1. Activate The BLVD through art

As Lancaster’s cultural core, The BLVD embodies the City’s artistic spirit. These crosswalk murals will reinforce Downtown’s creative identity by blending past, present, and future stories of Lancaster, support local businesses and encourage pedestrian exploration of The BLVD’s shops, restaurants, and galleries; and contribute to the City’s goal to “enliven and activate Downtown with interactive public art” and foster civic pride through visible creativity.

2. Advance public and traffic safety

The project directly supports the Master Plan’s emphasis on asphalt art for pedestrian safety.

Research cited in the Plan (Asphalt Art Safety Study, 2022) shows that crosswalk murals can:

Reduce pedestrian/cyclist crashes by 50%

Increase driver yielding by 27%

Reduce injury crashes by 37%

Decrease vehicle–pedestrian conflicts by 25%

Crosswalk murals can create a safer, more legible crossing that slows traffic while adding color and vibrancy to the street.

3. Support local artists and creative placemaking

The crosswalk mural will provide professional opportunities for local and regional artists while contributing to Lancaster’s reputation as an art destination. The project continues the City’s legacy of public art excellence exemplified by Antelope Valley Walls™ and MOAH artist programs, fostering a culture of innovation and civic creativity.

4. Model sustainable, place-based design

By integrating art directly into infrastructure, the project demonstrates how creative placemaking can enhance quality of life, safety, and community engagement.

Goals

Beautify a key downtown intersection while promoting pedestrian safety.

Reflect Lancaster’s diverse community and creative identity.

Engage residents of all ages in the art-making process.

Support the visibility and development of local artists.

Encourage foot traffic and connection along The BLVD.

Demonstrate the City’s commitment to art, safety, and innovation.

Site Information

Location A: Intersection of Lancaster Blvd & Cedar Street.

Location B: Intersection of Lancaster Blvd & Ehrlich Street.

Dimensions: approx.12 ft. x 30 ft. (2 shorter sides) and 15 ft. x 70 ft. (2 longer sides)

Please note: each location will be completed by a different artist or artist team.

Installation Information

Artists should provide all supplies, equipment, and assistance needed to complete the project.

Please note: The City will provide all paint to be used.

Application Requirements

Submission Requirements

Artist Statement & Concept Narrative (PDF)

Image of Concept Rendering (JPG, PDF)

Itemized Cost Estimate (PDF)

Resume/CV (PDF)

Additional installation notes or requirements (PDF)

Please note: if you request a specific intersection, include conceptual reasoning in your submission. The City reserves the right to designate location assignments to artists.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

Open to professional and emerging artists, or artist teams, age 18+.

Artists based in Southern California or the Antelope Valley region are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants should demonstrate experience with large-scale painting, murals, or public art installations.