Storm Drain Mural Application

Request for Qualifications

Storm Drain Murals 2026

We’re looking for Triangle-based artists and artist teams to paint murals on the sidewalk around prominent storm drains in Chapel Hill. Storm drain murals will be approximately 6 feet in diameter, are intended to last a few years, and their designs should be fun, eye-catching, and speak to environmental themes. This is a collaborative project with Chapel Hill Stormwater Management.

FINALIST PROPOSAL COMPENSATION: $100/artist or team

PROJECT STIPEND: $1,400/artist or team

ELIGIBILITY: Artists and/or artist teams must be 18+, live within a 40-mile radius of Chapel Hill, and submit application materials following the instructions below.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Community Arts & Culture aims to inspire creativity and celebrate community for a better Chapel Hill. We value inclusion, experience, and understanding, and encourage proposals that reflect these values.

Applications are now closed.

Visit our online application and upload the following materials as one zipped file. Don’t know how to zip a file? Learn more here. File formats other than those requested will not be considered.

Applications should include:

Four (4) Images and List of Previous Work
- Submit (4) images of past work that represents your style of work and/or is relevant to this project.
- Each image should be approximately 900 pixels (longest dimension) and no larger than 600 KB.
- Submit each image as a separate .jpg file.
- Submit an image list as a separate .docx or .pdf file and include the file name, media, and dimensions.
Resume
- No more than 2 pages providing artistic resume and description of relevant projects.
Application materials will be reviewed by a Selection Team which may include stakeholders such as project neighbors, previous storm drain artists, and representatives from relevant Town Departments. Up to six finalists will be contracted to submit proposals based upon the artistic excellence and relevance of the artist/team’s previous work.

Selected finalists will be paid $100 each to submit a mural design. Artists whose designs are selected will receive an all-inclusive stipend of $1,400 to finalize their design with stakeholder input and paint the mural around the designated storm drain in April/May 2026.

Murals above (left to right) by Sam Greene, nonperishable, and Alice Holleman.

Opportunities like this are a fantastic way to get introduced to the world of public art. I love seeing people of all ages get excited when they realize that art can be created anywhere. Experiences like this are a great way to feel connected to your community, educate on important topics, and add a bit more color to the world!

— Sam Greene, 2025 Storm Drain Mural Artist

I loved this project and am grateful to finally get to do something for the Town of Chapel Hill! I love to push my own boundaries and painting a 3D illusion was an extremely gratifying experience. My favorite part was when a couple sat their adorable baby down next to the lily pad for a photo and it tried to pick it up with its chubby little hands. Yes! My painting tricked a baby! I would recommend this project to any artist who cares about environmental issues. It is a fantastic way to spread awareness and help protect the often overlooked critters who live downstream. They came out of this earth just like we did and it is our duty to look after every form of life and take care of this unique planet while we are here.

— nonperishable, 2025 Storm Drain Mural Artist

Explore the murals.

SEE PAST PROJECTS