Washington, DC

(Washington, DC) - Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Department of Public Works (DPW) Director William O. Howland, Jr., and DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Director Lionell Thomas (DCCAH) are seeking wall donations and artists for the city's MuralsDC project by May, 2015. A collaborative between DPW and DCCAH, the initiative was created to replace graffiti-ridden walls with original works of art.

MuralsDC has produced more than 50 murals citywide, since 2007. Many of the program's walls had been a constant target for graffiti. The program has been highly effective in ending the cycle of tagging on those sites, which has resulted in a significant cost savings for both the city and the business owners.

"We are building a Washington, DC that attracts as many tourists to our neighborhoods and art districts as to our monuments. MuralsDC will help both the city and businesses save money they may have spent on painting or removing graffiti, all while helping expand art in the community," said Mayor Muriel Bowser. "Working with local artists we will deliver a fresh start with a fresh look in our neighborhoods."

DPW will consider submissions for this free program that meet the following criteria: 

• Donated space must be for commercial or public use (cannot be a private residence) and located in the District of Columbia.
• The program will consider concrete and brick surfaces only.
• Owners must consent (via a signed Authorization and Release form) to donate wall space for at least one year and leave the mural intact for that year.
• Donated space must be highly visible by vehicles and/or pedestrian traffic.
• Ideally, the donated wall has been defaced with graffiti, has been tagged in the past, or is located in close vicinity to property that has been tagged.

"As the head of the city's sanitation effort, my job is now bigger than keeping corridors clean," said DPW Director Howland. "It's also about introducing a level of vibrancy that helps to attract patrons to local businesses and boost tourism overall. MuralsDC is helping on that front while also serving as a deterrent for unauthorized graffiti on commercial and public properties."

Property owners can download a MuralsDC Authorization and Release Form at www.dpw.dc.gov by selecting "Sanitation Services" in the left navigation menu, then "Litter and Graffiti Prevention" and then "MuralsDC" in the left navigation listing.

MuralsDC also seeks graffiti artists and artist teams to design, create and install aerosol murals that inspire the various communities in which they will be placed. Please review the official Call for Artists at www.dcarts.dc.gov for specific instructions.

"We are pleased to once again be working with DPW to create a more distinctive landscape for our residents and visitors, and to offer artists opportunities for expression," said DCAH Director Lionell Thomas. "We encourage owners of walls in the District to participate in the program and artists to apply."

For more information about MuralsDC, contact DPW at (202) 673-6833.