22 Apr Phase 4 Golden Blocks Mural | OPEN CALL | Deadline May 30, 2025
African Americans and the Military in the Golden Blocks Era: 1898-1945
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, in partnership with the Greater Augusta Arts Council with project funds through a generous grant by Destination Augusta, is seeking a muralist, or a team of muralists, to work on a mural that highlights military service members of color with ties to Augusta’s historic Golden Blocks district. This larger than life mural will be the 4th phase of murals created within the Golden Blocks.
Previous murals and sculptural installations can be viewed online at https://augustatours.opentour.site/golden-blocks-tour
CLICK HERE TO APPLY!
Background: African Americans have served in the U.S. military since the Revolutionary War and continue to serve in all branches today. They have overcome significant obstacles, including racism and segregation, to contribute to the nation’s defense. Today, African Americans make up a significant portion of the active duty and reserve forces, with a higher percentage in the Army than their representation in the overall population. The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and project leaders seek a skilled muralist, or team of muralists, to activate a highly-visible wall space with an engaging artwork. The goal being to not only pay tribute to Augusta’s service members of color from 1898-1945, but also break the fourth wall and interact with citizens of Augusta in modern times.
Mural Location 1134 Laney Walker Blvd. Augusta, GA 30901
Size: 67ft W x 13ft H.
Eligibility/Selection Criteria: Muralists are required to join a tour of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History to apply and qualify. You can find more on booking your museum visit at: https://lucycraftlaneymuseum.com or by calling the museum at 706-724-3576 to schedule your visit.
On your visit, you will sign in, retrieve your artist packet, and tour the museum to gain a better understanding of the Golden Blocks history you will be portraying in your mural proposal.
Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and scored by the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of History and project leaders. A selection will be made from the top scored artists.
After verifying museum visits, muralists will be ranked based on:
1. Resume & Artist CV
2. Proposal & Sketch, with a focus on the knowledge and understanding of the historic elements this mural will require.
3. Supporting materials of past projects.
Stipend for each artist: $15,000.00 . No supplies will be provided. The selected artist will be required to purchase paints (approval required for what type of paint), ladders, brushes, rollers, tarps, and any lifts/scaffolding required. Payments will be made in 3rds, with the first being upon contract signage, the second being when the mural has reached its halfway mark, and the final payment upon completion.
Eligibility: Artists who reside in Augusta’s River Region including Georgia counties of Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington and Wilkes, as well as the western South Carolina counties of Aiken, Edgefield, Allendale, Barnwell and McCormick.
Deadline to apply: May 30, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Selected artist announced:June 13, 2025 by 5:00 p.m.
Deadline for Mural Completion: September 30, 2025.
Requirements: Artists will be required to work directly with the Lucy Craft Laney Museum to include elements within the mural. The selected artist, or artist team, will be required to sign an artist contract with the Greater Augusta Arts Council.
*Any delays in completion, outside of extreme weather events or serious injury or illness, will result in loss of funds. Any muralist or muralist team not up to the task of completing this mural within a 3 month period should not apply.*
How to Apply: Submit to the form below a letter of interest, a short bio, artist cv/resume, images of previous work, along with a proposal and sketch. Be sure to visit the Lucy Craft Laney Museum before the application deadline.
View the building template here: military mural layout
We highly recommend artists visit the museum BEFORE submitting their proposal so that they have their artist history packet in hand to inspire their designs.
Contact Gallery & Public Art Director Heather Dunaway at the Arts Council at 706-826-4702 or email [email protected] with any questions you might have.