Orlando Mural Festival 2026

A Program of the Downtown Arts District & CityArts

Presented by the Downtown Development Board

The Downtown Arts District is seeking experienced muralists to participate in the 2026 Orlando Mural Festival, presented by the Downtown Development Board.

Selected artists will create original large-scale murals on exterior walls throughout Downtown Orlando, transforming the urban landscape into a vibrant outdoor gallery. Murals will vary in size and location, and artists will be matched with sites based on the scale and nature of their proposed design.

This is a paid opportunity for professional muralists with experience executing large-scale public artwork.

Apply at https://downtownartsdistrict.com/call-to-artists/

Opportunity Details

Number of Artists Selected: Multiple

Location: Downtown Orlando, Florida

Artist Stipend: $3,000–$25,000
Stipends are determined based on the assigned wall size, complexity, and project scope.

Application Fee: Free

Theme: Open
Artists are encouraged to submit original concepts that are appropriate for a diverse public audience. Artwork must be family-friendly and suitable for permanent public display.

Artist Location & Travel

The Orlando Mural Festival welcomes applications from local, regional, national, and international artists.

Please note that the artist stipend covers the mural commission only. The Downtown Arts District and Orlando Mural Festival are not able to guarantee or provide reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, local transportation, shipping, visa expenses, or other travel-related costs. Artists are responsible for arranging and covering these expenses.

Festival staff are happy to provide letters of invitation, local recommendations, and other planning assistance when possible, and may help connect artists with community partners or discounted accommodations if opportunities become available; however, such assistance is not guaranteed.

Mural Specifications

Murals will be installed on a variety of exterior walls throughout Downtown Orlando.

• Wall dimensions will vary by site.

• Most walls are predominantly horizontal rectangular formats.

• Artists should submit designs that are adaptable and scalable, allowing them to be enlarged or adjusted to fit different wall dimensions.

• Minor design modifications may be requested to accommodate architectural features, visibility, property owner feedback, or site-specific considerations.

• Final mural layouts will be refined after artist selection and site assignment in collaboration with festival staff.

• Each submitted design must include a title.

Artist Responsibilities

Selected artists are responsible for providing:

• Paints and coatings

• Brushes, rollers, and painting supplies

• Projectors (if used)

• Personal safety equipment

• Any specialty tools or equipment required to complete the mural

Festival organizers will provide access to:

• Parking

• Restrooms

• Water

• Lifts

• Ladders

• Assigned mural site access

Timeline

Application Deadline
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
11:59 PM (EST)

Artist Notification
Tuesday, August 25th

Painting Schedule
Painting schedules will be coordinated following acceptance and site assignment.

All murals must be completed prior to the Third Thursday Opening Reception.

Upon acceptance, artists will be asked to provide an estimated painting timeline so installation schedules can be coordinated.

Festival Attendance

Selected muralists are expected to participate in the following festival events:

Third Thursday Opening Reception
September 17, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Orlando Mural Festival
September 19, 2026
2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Artist attendance at both events is strongly encouraged as part of the public celebration of the completed murals.

Application Requirements

1. Artist Bio / Statement

Please provide a brief artist biography or statement (150–250 words) describing your artistic practice and experience creating murals or public artwork.

2. Portfolio

Submit:

• 3–8 examples of previous murals or large-scale work

• Website and/or social media

3. Design Proposal

Submit one original mural concept including:

• Mural title

• Sketch, digital rendering, or mock-up

• Brief concept description (100–250 words)

Designs should be adaptable to varying wall sizes while maintaining the overall artistic vision.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Artistic quality

• Originality and creativity

• Experience completing large-scale murals

• Feasibility of execution

• Adaptability of the proposed design

• Suitability for public viewing

Terms & Conditions

By submitting an application, artists acknowledge and agree to the following:

• Submitted artwork must be original, created solely by the applying artist, and may not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others. Artists are responsible for ensuring they have the legal right to use any imagery, references, or other incorporated elements included in their design. Artwork generated in whole or in part using generative artificial intelligence (AI), including AI-assisted concept art or renderings, is not eligible for consideration. Any application containing AI-generated imagery or designs will be automatically disqualified.

• Final mural designs are subject to review and approval by the Downtown Arts District, the City of Orlando, and participating property owners.

• Selected artists agree to make reasonable design adjustments required for the assigned wall dimensions and architectural conditions.

• Artists are responsible for supplying all paints, materials, equipment, and personal protective equipment necessary to complete the mural unless otherwise specified in writing.

• Artists are responsible for maintaining a safe work area and complying with all applicable safety regulations while painting.

• Selected artists will be required to sign a mural agreement and comply with all site-specific safety requirements before painting.

• The Downtown Arts District reserves the right to cancel or modify any mural project if unforeseen circumstances arise.

• Artists grant the Downtown Arts District, the Downtown Development Board, Orlando Mural Festival, and participating partners permission to photograph, film, and document the artwork and artist for promotional, educational, archival, and marketing purposes.

• Upon completion of the mural, artists grant the Downtown Arts District and Orlando Mural Festival the right to reproduce the mural design and images of the completed mural for festival-related promotional materials and merchandise, including but not limited to T-shirts, posters, postcards, publications, websites, and social media. Artist credit will be provided whenever reasonably practicable.

• Artists retain copyright to their original artwork except for the promotional and merchandising rights granted above.

• Submission of an application does not guarantee selection.

• Murals are intended as public artworks; however, the Downtown Arts District and participating property owners cannot guarantee the lifespan or permanent preservation of any mural.

• Incomplete or late applications may not be reviewed. The Downtown Arts District reserves the right to reject any application that does not meet the submission requirements.