Public Art: Call for Mural Artists

In partnership with the Chatham-Kent Public Library Board, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is seeking proposals for murals for CK Public Libraries located in Blenheim, Bothwell, Dresden, Highgate, Merlin, Ridgetown, Thamesville, Tilbury, Wallaceburg, and Wheatley.

This Call for Mural Artists is funded by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Together CK portfolio and the Chatham Kent Community Foundation.

Application Guidelines

  • Proposals should reflect themes that share local history, heritage, and/or contemporary community stories.
    • Original designs only; no existing copyright infringement or licensed images may be used within the proposed concept or final artwork design.
    • All use of AI in artwork development must be disclosed.
    • Must be public-friendly, non-commercial, and not resemble traffic signals/signs.
    • Designs should deter graffiti; avoid large solid or blank areas.
  • Selected murals must be produced using panels made of sign-grade plywood (Crezon).
    • Maximum mural size is 2.4 metres x 2.4 metres (8 feet x 8 feet).
    • Applicants should clearly outline proposed size of artwork and identify which CKPL location is proposed. Final mural sizes and requirements will be determined by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, including weatherproofing requirements, based on location.
  • Proposed artwork can be created in any medium (digital illustration, painting, drawing, photography, etc.). Selected artist is responsible for final mural production, including ensuring final design can be digitally formatted to the appropriate size and file specifications for production.
    • Concept representations should be in JPG/JPEG/PDF format at a minimum resolution of 150 dpi.
  • Budgets should include purchase of all materials.
    • A budget template is available in the Documents section to the right. Applicants should list all project expenses in this form and upload as part of their application.
    • Installation will be managed by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, including associated costs. Applicant budgets do not need to account for installation costs.
  • Applicants should provide up to three (3) letters of support outlining community input on design concept.

Additional Grant Guidelines are available under Documents to the right.

How much can I apply for?

Applicants can apply a maximum of $6,500.

  • Project applications and budgets must include full project scope including development and final production of artwork on sign-grade plywood panels (Crezon).
  • Installation and associated costs will be the responsibility of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Eligibility

Together CK Public Art funding is open to artist applicants as well as community groups and not-for-profit organizations working with a selected artist. First consideration will be given to projects working with artists of Chatham-Kent and/or surrounding First Nations.

  • Artists may apply directly. Inclusion of existing partnerships with community groups and residents is encouraged and will be considered in the application review.
  • Community groups and not-for-profit organizations may also apply as the lead applicant. Organizations should identify the artist they plan to work with for development and production of the public artwork.

Timeline

The Together CK Public Art application intake will be open Monday, July 20 (9AM) to Friday, August 28, 2026.

  • Application Deadline: August 28, 2026, at midnight
  • Review Starts: August 31, 2026
  • Recommendations for Council Approval: November 23, 2026

Note: Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Funding Decisions

All applications are reviewed by administration for eligibility. Eligible applications will be forwarded to the Interdepartmental Public Art Advisory Team, Public Art Advisory Committee and Chatham-Kent Public Library Board to determine recommended funding to Council.

Council reviews recommendations and approves final funding for Together CK grant recipients.

Assistance

For more information, please email TogetherCK@Chatham-Kent.ca.

In partnership with the Chatham-Kent Public Library Board, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is seeking proposals for murals for CK Public Libraries located in Blenheim, Bothwell, Dresden, Highgate, Merlin, Ridgetown, Thamesville, Tilbury, Wallaceburg, and Wheatley.

This Call for Mural Artists is funded by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Together CK portfolio and the Chatham Kent Community Foundation.

Application Guidelines

  • Proposals should reflect themes that share local history, heritage, and/or contemporary community stories.
    • Original designs only; no existing copyright infringement or licensed images may be used within the proposed concept or final artwork design.
    • All use of AI in artwork development must be disclosed.
    • Must be public-friendly, non-commercial, and not resemble traffic signals/signs.
    • Designs should deter graffiti; avoid large solid or blank areas.
  • Selected murals must be produced using panels made of sign-grade plywood (Crezon).
    • Maximum mural size is 2.4 metres x 2.4 metres (8 feet x 8 feet).
    • Applicants should clearly outline proposed size of artwork and identify which CKPL location is proposed. Final mural sizes and requirements will be determined by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, including weatherproofing requirements, based on location.
  • Proposed artwork can be created in any medium (digital illustration, painting, drawing, photography, etc.). Selected artist is responsible for final mural production, including ensuring final design can be digitally formatted to the appropriate size and file specifications for production.
    • Concept representations should be in JPG/JPEG/PDF format at a minimum resolution of 150 dpi.
  • Budgets should include purchase of all materials.
    • A budget template is available in the Documents section to the right. Applicants should list all project expenses in this form and upload as part of their application.
    • Installation will be managed by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, including associated costs. Applicant budgets do not need to account for installation costs.
  • Applicants should provide up to three (3) letters of support outlining community input on design concept.

Additional Grant Guidelines are available under Documents to the right.

How much can I apply for?

Applicants can apply a maximum of $6,500.

  • Project applications and budgets must include full project scope including development and final production of artwork on sign-grade plywood panels (Crezon).
  • Installation and associated costs will be the responsibility of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Eligibility

Together CK Public Art funding is open to artist applicants as well as community groups and not-for-profit organizations working with a selected artist. First consideration will be given to projects working with artists of Chatham-Kent and/or surrounding First Nations.

  • Artists may apply directly. Inclusion of existing partnerships with community groups and residents is encouraged and will be considered in the application review.
  • Community groups and not-for-profit organizations may also apply as the lead applicant. Organizations should identify the artist they plan to work with for development and production of the public artwork.

Timeline

The Together CK Public Art application intake will be open Monday, July 20 (9AM) to Friday, August 28, 2026.

  • Application Deadline: August 28, 2026, at midnight
  • Review Starts: August 31, 2026
  • Recommendations for Council Approval: November 23, 2026

Note: Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Funding Decisions

All applications are reviewed by administration for eligibility. Eligible applications will be forwarded to the Interdepartmental Public Art Advisory Team, Public Art Advisory Committee and Chatham-Kent Public Library Board to determine recommended funding to Council.

Council reviews recommendations and approves final funding for Together CK grant recipients.

Assistance

For more information, please email TogetherCK@Chatham-Kent.ca.

Page last updated: 15 Jul 2026, 01:24 PM