CALL FOR PROPOSALS (CFP):

RestorArt: Mural Restoration & Conservation Program

 Deadline: Monday, February 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM (PST)

The City of Santa Ana - Arts & Culture Office is issuing a Call for Proposals (CFP) inviting individuals or teams to submit proposals for the conservation of historically significant murals located within the city. Proposals must include a detailed plan for mural conservation. Additionally, proposals that include an apprenticeship component will be awarded additional points during the evaluation process; however, the inclusion of such a component is not mandatory.

This initiative seeks to honor Santa Ana’s rich cultural heritage while nurturing artistic growth and community engagement. Selected projects should highlight the mural’s significant themes, prominent cultural figures, and/or historical narratives that hold deep meaning for the local community. The preservation of these historic murals will reinforce their role as cultural landmarks, forge connections between historic themes and contemporary issues, and foster meaningful dialogue between the past and the present.

The deadline for proposal submission is Monday, February 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM (PST) and must be submitted online via Submittable.com.

**Artists may submit up to three (3) murals. Please submit each proposal in separate applications.**

Submit applications here: https://cityofsantaana.submittable.com/submit

For questions, please contact:
Arts & Culture Office
Email: artsandculture@santa-ana.org

 

ANTICIPATED TIMELINE:

Event dates, times, and locations may be subject to change under certain circumstances. Please check back on the Arts & Culture Office web page for any changes prior to applying and attending the Arts & Culture Commission meetings.

Website: https://www.santa-ana.org/departments/arts-and-culture-office/

01/13/25	Applications open
02/13/25	Proposals Due on Submittable.com
02/14/25 – 02/30/25	Evaluation of Proposals
03/03/25 – 03/17/25	Final due diligence on proposals with Professional Mural Conservator
03/20/25	Final Recommendations Made
04/24/25	Earliest Date for Project Start-up

 

PROJECT OBJECTIVE/THEME:

As a city renowned for its cultural heritage and artistic vitality, Santa Ana takes pride in its diverse collection of murals, which serve as iconic artistic landmarks and vital cultural touchstones within the community. To support the preservation of these important works, the City of Santa Ana is launching the RestorArt program, designed to provide direct funding to muralists for the conservation of murals while fostering opportunities for emerging artists through paid apprenticeships and mentorships. Including an apprenticeship component in your proposal is strongly encouraged and will be awarded additional consideration. However, it is not a mandatory requirement.

The primary objectives of the RestorArt program are:

• Expand opportunities for local muralists
• Invest in paid apprenticeships and mentorships
• Enhance the visual landscape in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic indicators
• Strengthen community connections

 

PROPOSAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

A selection panel composed of, but not limited to, arts and history professionals, City staff, City Commissioners, conservators, and muralists will evaluate submitted proposals and prioritize murals most in need of restoration. The City will give particular consideration to projects located in underserved neighborhoods as well as including an apprenticeship component. Multiple proposals will be selected to receive funding based on the panel’s recommendations.
Muralists interested in conserving their historic murals while mentoring emerging artist apprentices are strongly encouraged to apply. A competitive proposal should demonstrate the following:

• The mural is located within the City of Santa Ana and is at least 15 years old.
• Muralist/Team demonstrates a commitment to mural restoration and/or has experience or an interest in working with emerging artists.
• The mural has a strong historical and cultural connection to the neighborhood and reflects themes that address both historical significance and contemporary issues.
• The project aligns with program goals and is located in areas identified as having lower socioeconomic indicators.
• A demonstrated ability to manage projects within established timelines and budgets is preferred but not required.

Recipients of the funding will be required to adhere to all City Codes and regulations, including but not limited to safety, accessibility, seismic compliance, and any other applicable requirements. Additionally, Muralists/Teams must be available for regular meetings with the Arts & Culture Office and other City officials to ensure alignment with project goals and compliance standards.

 

BUDGET:

The City will allocate funding to eligible muralists and emerging artists residing and/or working in Southern California. Funding amounts will be determined based on factors such as condition, size, location, and specific needs of the mural to be restored.

Project budgets will range from $5,000 to $25,000, and should be inclusive of all costs including but not limited to:

• Labor and apprentice stipends
• Equipment and material costs
• Rentals and permits
• General liability insurance
• Anti-graffiti coating
• Any other expenses related to the restoration project

Funding awards are contingent upon a signed Agreement between the Muralist/Team and the City of Santa Ana. The awarded funds will be distributed in two installments:

• Initial Payment: 50% of the total award will be disbursed upon a fully-executed agreement and submission of an approved invoice.
• Final Payment: The remaining 50% will be disbursed upon the successful completing of the project, including final installation, and submission of an approved invoice.

 

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must be professionals residing and/or working in Southern California, eligible to work in the United States, and age 18 or older. Apprentices must also be age 18 or older. Candidates are eligible regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, or physical ability.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

A complete submission must include all the information and materials described below. The online application will prompt you to submit the information directly into the fields and to upload the submission materials described in the application guidelines. Please prepare all required materials before logging onto Submittable.com. Incomplete and late applications will be deemed ineligible and not be considered.

**Artists may submit up to three (3) murals. Please submit each proposal in separate applications.**

1. Application Cover Sheet:
   Complete the Application Cover Sheet online worksheet provided at the end of this CFP.
2. Letter/Statement of Interest:
   [Limit 1 page. Formatting guidelines: Double spaced, 12 points Times New Roman, one-inch margins] Describe in a few paragraphs your interest in the project, how the mural reflects historical or contemporary themes, and its community significance. Include a preliminary proposal demonstrating your understanding of the objectives and how they will be achieved, emphasizing the mural’s historical value, cultural relevance, and connection to the neighborhood.
3. Images of Proposed Mural:
   [Limit 10 files, high resolution JPEG or PDF files only, with minimum 72 DPI resolution]
   - Image of mural in original condition (up to 5 images)
   - Image of mural in current condition (up to 5 images)
4. Work Plan for Restoration:
   [Limit 5 files, high resolution JPEG or PDF files only]
   Describe how you will restore the mural from beginning to end. Provide a Scope of Work and Timeline.
5. Work Plan for Emerging Artist Apprenticeship (Optional):
   [Limit 1 page. Formatting guidelines: Double spaced, 12 points Times New Roman, one-inch margins]
   Describe how you will hire and work with youth apprentices to help restore the mural, as well as any experience you may have with working with a mentee/apprentice.
6. Letter of Permission from Property Owner:
   [Limit 1 page. Formatting guidelines: Double spaced, 12 points Times New Roman, one-inch margins]
   Letter must include owner’s name, address, email, and phone number. An email from the owner is acceptable.
7. Letter of Verification:
   [Limit 1 page. Formatting guidelines: Double spaced, 12 points Times New Roman, one-inch margins]
   Indicate that you are the original artist of the mural or a letter of permission from the original artist or legal owner(s), if restoring another artist’s work.
8. Budget for Proposed Scope of Work:
   [PDF or DOC format only]
   Budget should include cost of labor (including apprenticeship, if any), supplies, anti-graffiti coating, insurance, and any other related expenses.
9. Current Resume(s):
   [Limit 2-4 pages per team member. PDF or DOC format only]
   If submitted as a team, please identify the team leader and include resumes for each team member. Resume(s) should reflect artist experience painting and restoring murals.
10. Images of Past Restoration Work & Annotated Image List:
    [Limit 5 files, high resolution JPEG or PDF files only, with minimum 72 DPI resolution]
    Muralists/Teams must submit up to five images of previous mural restoration projects or relevant work samples. Every image file must be titled first with the number of the image in the order to be viewed, followed by the artist’s last name (for example: 01_Mendoza; 02_Mendoza). Number must correspond to an annotated image list. Images should be labeled with the title of the piece, the specific medium, the dates, and the dimension of the art. Artists applying as a team may include examples of existing collaborative work.
11. Additional material included that is not requested by the Arts & Culture Office will not be reviewed

 

The proposal must be submitted online via Submittable.com. Email, faxed, or hand-delivered materials will not be accepted. Application materials must be received by Monday, February 13, 2025, 11:59 PM PST.

Submit applications here: https://cityofsantaana.submittable.com/submit

The online application will prompt you to submit the information directly into the fields and to upload submission materials. The City strongly recommends submitting the application at least 5 days prior to the deadline to give ample time to troubleshoot.

For questions, please contact Arts & Culture Office at artsandculture@santa-ana.org.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The muralist/team selected through this application process must agree to maintain liability insurance, which will insure and indemnify the artist(s) and the City of Santa Ana during the term of the contract and for one year after acceptance of the project.

• The City of Santa Ana is not obligated to select a finalist from the submitted applications and reserves the right cancel this application at any time.
• Submitting an application does not constitute an expressed or implied contract.
• Applicants submitting will receive notification of the results of the selection process.
• Application materials will not be returned.
• This application is subject to ordinances in effect in the City of Santa Ana.