Deadline to apply: June 19, 2023

City Walls Detroit is seeking artists (or collaborative teams) to install new murals in the Gratiot/7 Mile Neighborhood Framework Plan area on the city’s eastside.

The guiding principle of the City Walls program is for the artwork created to represent the values and identity of the community where it is showcased. As such, this project seeks to promote the vibrancy and civic pride of Gratiot/7 Mile communities and deepen connections with residents in the process.

The City of Detroit has a vision for neighbors to feel connected to each other, take shared responsibility for their neighborhoods, feel empowered to make a change in their environment, and envision a positive future for themselves, their children, and the built environment in which they live.

The community will be fully engaged in describing which aspects of their collective identity will be showcased through the murals. This will foster organic representation of the area and increase pride of place, while simultaneously establishing a brand identity to be furthered by future public and private investments.

The mural commissions are being managed by City Walls Detroit in partnership with the Planning & Development Department, Department of Neighborhoods, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Invest Detroit, and Fifth Third Bank.

Goals of the G7 Mural Project:

• Artwork contains elements of empowerment, resilience, and self-determination
• Residents feel connected to the artwork that is created
• Artwork reflects the cultural heritage of the community
• Creates vibrant public spaces
• Gives visibility to the corridor as a viable commercial destination
• Elevates the aesthetic value of vacant, publicly owned commercial buildings
• Encourages art-centric tourism
• Celebrates the spirit of the neighborhoods surrounding the Gratiot Avenue corridor
• Provides opportunities for young people to grow professionally and thrive personally
• Supports Detroit artists in their careers

The preceding text is an excerpt from the commission document for this opportunity. Please see commission document for full project information and application instructions.