REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Community Mural – Uptown Mt. Sterling, IL

Issued by Action Brown County in partnership with Arts Quincy

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Action Brown County invites proposals from qualified artists or artist teams to design and install a community mural in the Uptown Mt. Sterling area. The mural should capture the spirit, history, and character of Brown County while enhancing the public streetscape and
fostering civic pride.
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The goal of the mural is to create a visually compelling and meaningful work of public art that resonates with both residents and visitors, reflecting the unique identity of the community.

Suggested themes may include, but are not limited to:

• Community icons – courthouse, harness horse, Tip Top Notcher pig, lemon ice cream, white tail deer, Hornet mascot to name a few.
• Natural Beauty – rolling hills, farmland, deer, turkeys, Mt. Sterling Lake, agricultural heritage
• Community Events – Brown County Fair, Mt. Sterling Winter Festival
• Future and Hope – children learning and playing
• Unity and Belonging – symbols that emphasize a strong sense of community
• Economic Impact – subtle recognition of Dot Foods and its role in shaping the region’s growth
• The newly developed Brown County branding
• Greetings From Brown County, post card mural
• The proposed mural should be unique from the other two murals that were previously installed and still on display in Uptown Mt. Sterling.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• Budget: Not to exceed $15,000 (inclusive of all artist fees, travel, supplies, and  equipment rentals) 
• Location: East-facing wall of 143 W Main St, Mt. Sterling, IL 
• Dimensions: Approximately 100 ft. wide x 18 ft. high at the highest level and 14 ft. high at the lowest level. 
• Audience: Design must be appropriate for all ages and suitable for public display • Ownership: Upon completion, artwork ownership will transfer to the Action Brown  County 
• Durability: Mural must be created using materials suitable to last at least 3–5 years • Completion Deadline: September 26, 2025 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 
Applicants must submit the following materials in digital format via email. If files exceed 15 MB, contact [email protected] for Dropbox access. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required Materials:

• Completed application form 
• Artist resume or biography 
• Up to 7 digital images of previous relevant work 
• Detailed full-color sketch/rendering of proposed mural (to scale) 
• Written description of concept and how it reflects the community
• Explanation of process for scaling work from concept to wall
• List of proposed materials
• Proposed budget (including wall preparation, equipment, production, and cleanup)
• Timeline for project execution

​SELECTION PROCESS & CRITERIA
A local selection committee, composed of Mt. Sterling stakeholders, will evaluate proposals using the following criteria:

• Completeness of application
• Alignment with local context (architectural, cultural, historical, geographic)
• Artistic originality, creativity, and concept quality
• Proven ability to execute site-specific public art projects
• Craftsmanship and quality demonstrated in past work
• Durability and maintainability of proposed materials and techniques
• Suitability for public interaction and pedestrian visibility
• Feasibility of completing project on time and within budget

QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS
Submit proposals or direct questions to:
Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: Mt. Sterling Mural Proposal
Deadline for Submissions: July 31, 2025