Sierra Arts Foundation, in partnership with Washoe County, invites artists and artist teams to apply for a multi-site mural initiative across County facilities. This project will activate eight (8) mural locations serving a wide range of community members, including children, seniors, public health clients, County employees, and the general public. Selected artists will create original, site-responsive murals that contribute to welcoming, inclusive, and meaningful public spaces throughout Washoe County.
Murals commissioned through this initiative will:
- Create inviting and inspiring public environments
- Support wellness for both visitors and County staff
- Provide trauma-informed visual experiences where appropriate
- Reflect the diversity, culture, and identity of Washoe County
- Highlight the work and mission of County departments
Mural Locations:
- Northern Nevada Public Health (final wall location to be confirmed)
- District Attorney Child Advocacy Center
- County Complex Building C – Hallway
- Senior Services interior – Retro theme
- Senior Services exterior facing 9th street
- County Complex Employee Lounge – Building C
- Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender – Interior wall
- Bowers Mansion Splash Pad
This opportunity is open to:
- Professional artists and artist teams
- Artists with experience in mural or large-scale work
- Emerging artists with demonstrated ability to execute public-facing work
- Artists able to complete the project within the required timeline
- Artists from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.
Selection Process Phase One
Three (3) artists will be selected per site. Each finalist will receive a $300 stipend to develop a proposal
Finalists will be asked to submit:
- Concept narrative
- Preliminary design rendering
- Materials and installation approach
- Project timeline
Phase Two — Final Selection
One artist will be selected per site. Selections will be made by a panel of Sierra Arts Foundation staff, Washoe County department stakeholders, County representatives, and arts professionals (as appropriate)
Evaluation criteria:
- Artistic quality and originality
- Alignment with site goals
- Community relevance
- Technical feasibility and durability
- Experience with similar projects
Artist Compensation
Final commissions will be scaled based on mural size and complexity using an equitable square-foot allocation model.
Compensation includes:
- Artist design and labor
- Materials and equipment
- Surface preparation
- Installation
- Protective coatings
Outdoor murals must withstand weather and UV exposure. Some sites may require specialized surface preparation.
Payment Schedule:
30% upon contract execution
40% upon design approval
30% upon completion
Finalists will receive the $300 stipend regardless of selection.
Project Timeline
- Call Opens: April 1, 2026
- Information Session: April 15, 2026 (12:00–1:30 PM)
- Submission Deadline: May 15, 2026 (5:00 PM PST)
- Finalists Selected: June 2, 2026
- Proposal Development: June–July 2026
- Final Artist Selection: July 2026
- Installation Window: September–October 2026
- Final Completion Deadline: October 31, 2026
Artists must submit:
- Artist statement
- Resume or CV
- 3-5 images of past work
- Statement of interest (including site preference, if any)
Submit via email – submissions@sierra-arts.org and include Washoe County Mural Project in the subject line.
For questions, please contact:
Sierra Arts Foundation
submissions@sierra-arts.org
include Washoe County Mural Project in the subject line
