Request for Qualifications – Large Scale, Public Mural in Newburgh NY
Summary
Safe Harbors of the Hudson seeks an experienced artist or artist team to design and install a permanent 25’ x 60’ mural on the exterior of the organization’s building facing Safe Harbors Green, its half-acre urban park in the City of Newburgh, NY’s downtown center.
Background
Safe Harbors of the Hudson, an innovative, mixed-use redevelopment with the mission of transforming lives and building community through housing and the arts, requests qualifications for the installation of a large-scale mural on its downtown building facade.
The Safe Harbors campus includes the Cornerstone Residence, affordable, supportive housing for 128 of its neighbors; Ann Street Gallery, a contemporary art space; the Lobby at the Ritz, an intimate performance space; Ann Street studios, eight artist work spaces; Baristas on Broadway, and Grit Works, two commercial partners; the Historic Ritz Theater, which Safe Harbors is redeveloping into a large scale performance and event space; and Safe Harbors Green, a half-acre urban park and venue for performance, large-scale art, farmers markets, festivals, and community gathering.
In 2014, Safe Harbors, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, commissioned Chilean street artist, Dasic Fernandez to create Transcendence, a mural painted on the existing stucco wall on the building’s park-facing elevation.
In spring 2025, the wall on which the mural was created unexpectedly began to crumble.
In order to ensure the safety of the structure, the stucco wall and existing mural were removed, and a new wall was constructed.
Safe Harbors now seeks to engage an artist with significant experience creating large scale outdoor murals to install a new mural on the renovated facade.
Installation Site
The mural is to be sited on an existing 25’ x 60’ stucco wall on the east elevation of Safe Harbors building, facing its half-acre park, Safe Harbors Green, located at 97 Broadway, Newburgh, NY.
The wall is constructed of reinforced stucco, applied on metal lath over brick and concrete masonry units (CMU). The stucco surface is treated with two coats of Thoroseal, a breathable waterproofing that allows water vapor to escape from the substrate, preventing moisture buildup that could lead to damage like blistering or cracking.
The surface of the wall includes expansion joints, which create panels that are designed to accommodate and manage natural expansion and contractions, prevent cracking and ensuring a stable, permanent surface.
Goals and Intentions
The objective of this project is to create a compelling piece of public art that will act as a point of public interest, source of community pride, and symbol of hope that captures and celebrates the vitality and rich diversity of our community.
The piece should also serve as a reflective, responsive, and relevant local landmark for community gathering and engagement.
Timeline
- September 5, 2025 – RFQ released
- October 20, 2025 – Submissions due
- November 5, 2025 – Candidates selection
- December 20, 2025 – Production proposals due
- January 14, 2026 – Final artist/artist team selection
- Winter 2026 – Concept development, permits
- Spring 2026 – Mural installation
- Summer 2026 – Mural completion
Fees
Total project budget is not anticipated to exceed $25,000. The artist awarded the project will be responsible for materials, tools, equipment, transportation, travel costs, contingency, maintenance plan, and insurance.
Submission Requirements
Interested artists should submit qualifications to include:
Current professional resume or CV: Provide contact information, link to online portfolio, Instagram handle, and any other relevant online portfolio, previous relevant art commissions, exhibitions, awards, grants, press, and education.
Letter or Interest: Provide a clear statement of purpose explaining your philosophy of public art, your interest in the commission, and an explanation of why you think you are a good fit for this project.
Images of Past Work: Submit up to six images of previous projects, especially those of similar size and scale; include work title, date, location, materials, dimensions, budget, client, and any other relevant information about the piece.
References: Provide contact information for at least three references who can attest to your work, professionalism, and ability to meet deadlines.
Insurance: Provide proof of $1 million liability insurance. If artist does not carry insurance, please indicate in letter of interest.
Certifications: All applicants should be in possession of a current MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform) operator certificate or similar certification. Applicants that are not certified will need to obtain a certificate to be considered for the project.
Selection Process
Artists will be evaluated based on the quality and relevance of their work, experience with large-scale public murals, technical skill, ability to complete projects on time and within budget, interest in the project, and capacity for community collaboration.
Three artists/artist teams will be selected from the RFQ process. Selected artists will be compensated with a $500 design fee for their time and talent in conducting site visits as necessary and creating a full production proposal.
Submission Process
Interested Artists should submit all the requirements listed above on or before October 20th 2025 to be considered for the project.
Submissions should be sent via email to lsilverstone@safe-harbors.org
Questions
For Questions related to the project, the RFQ and any other qualifying information please contact: Lisa Silverstone at lsilverstone@safe-harbors.org