2023 Saint Paul Cultural District Downtown Mural Project
Artist announcement coming soon
We’re collaborating with City of Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, the Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED), and the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance on 7 mural commissions! A free workshop for muralists was held in summer 2023.
As part of the Cultural Destination Area work of the PED and Mayor Carter, Forecast is facilitating a thoughtful and equitable selection process for 7 new permanent murals in the downtown Cultural District, completed by November 2023*. The Downtown Saint Paul Alliance is identifying and securing walls for the murals. The completed murals will enliven downtown with the aim of bringing greater appreciation and awareness to the diversity of Saint Paul neighborhoods. *Some murals may be completed in 2024.
The 7 represented Saint Paul cultural destination areas are: Little Mekong, Little Africa, Rondo, Shepard Davern, District del Sol, Near East Side, and North End.
Mural Commissions
Call Duration: June 16 – July 14, 2023
Budget: $15,000 per mural
Project Overview
This Fall 2023, the City will commission 7 murals to be installed in downtown Saint Paul, celebrating the 7 Saint Paul Cultural Destination Areas (Little Mekong, Little Africa, Rondo, Shepard Davern, District del Sol, Near East Side, and North End) to enliven downtown with greater appreciation and awareness to culture and diversity.
- Open to muralists based in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
- Open to individual muralists / teams.
- Budget for each mural: $15,000.
- 3 semi-finalists were selected for each of the 7 walls
- Each semi-finalist received $1,000 to create a site-specific proposal.
- Selected artists to be announced in Fall 2023
- 1 muralist / team per wall.
- Locations TBA upon semi-finalist selection + notification.
- Preference was given to artists who are connected to a Cultural Destination Area in Saint Paul.
- Muralists / teams with connections to a Cultural Destination Area encouraged.
Details
- Each mural/mural team was chosen through a selection process led by Forecast. A Cultural Destination Area Selection Committee was comprised of representatives from each of the seven areas that the city defined as a Cultural Destination Areas.
- Forecast worked with PED and the Downtown Alliance to identify and secure permissions for seven walls/locations in the downtown Cultural District.
- Artist/artist teams selected by the Cultural Destination Area Selection Committee were matched with a downtown wall based on content, skill, size, and other context determined for each site.
- All completed murals will enliven downtown with the aim of bringing greater appreciation and awareness to the diversity of Saint Paul neighborhoods.
Muralist Workshop
Project Overview
On Saturday, July 8, 2023, we offered a FREE workshop for muralists based in Saint Paul. Muralists at all career stages and experience levels were invited to learn practical and tactical subject matter. Content included: Defining Public Art, Public Art Identity, Community Engagement, Local Mural Guest Panelists, Budget, and Contracts.
Workshop Details
Forecast Consultant Candida Gonzalez (@candida612) facilitated the workshop at the George Latimer Central Library in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Local Guest Panelists:
Connor Rice (CRICE)
Read CRICE’s bio
Connor Rice (CRICE) is a Minneapolis College of Art and Design alumni from Southside Minneapolis. He gains his inspiration from Hip-Hop as well as history and uses art to document the issues and motifs of pan-Africanist realities. His work seeks to comment on the exploitation of the Black identity and to reflect on personal experiences within a euro-centric society. One of his main goals within art is to bridge the gap between the more established art scene and under represented communities of color.
Thomasina TopBear
Read Thomasina’s bio
Thomasina TopBear is a self taught artist, muralist, published illustrator and organizer from the Oglala Lakota & Santee Dakota Nations. She is a board member of the international all female paint crew Few & Far Women and co-founder of City Mischief Murals, an all BIPOC artist collective centered on healing through art. Specializing in large-scale murals her work can be seen on the sides of buildings throughout the country. Thomasina has organized a number of events focusing on empowering and creating safe spaces for youth and fellow artists to practice their crafts. She draws influences from her Oceti Sakowin culture while using art to express thoughts on community, social justice, spirituality and togetherness.
Katrina Knutson
Read Katrina’s bio
Katrina Knutson was born in South Minneapolis and raised on working class ethics, progressive politics, street art and hip-hop. She has a deep love of studying and learning through experiences. She has traveled, worked and painted everywhere from Mexico City to Toronto, looking for inspiration under bridges, on the streets, and in galleries across North America, and up and down Lake Street, and Franklin Ave the main arteries that connect South Minneapolis and St Paul. Katrina works as a teaching artist, illustrator and community muralist. Art is a tool that can amplify resistance and help us create a more just world.
Questions?
contact Jen Krava
jenk@forecastpublicart.org
About Forecast Public Art
A nonprofit organization based in Saint Paul and working nationally, Forecast partners with artists and communities throughout Minnesota and the country to activate, inspire, and advocate for public art that advances justice, health, and human dignity. Forecast’s team partners with decision-makers and stakeholders on arts and cultural planning efforts, and supports public artists with funding, training, and opportunities to create partnerships and advance their public art careers. They also help others find, select, curate, fund, and commission public artists. Forecast emphasizes access for artists of color, Indigenous and/or Native artists, and groups that are traditionally excluded.
(651) 641-1128
INFO@FORECAST
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