EVENT !! 2026 Indoor MURAL SLAM at Kilburn Mill !

Have your GPS take you to 101 West Rodney French Blvd. in New Bedford.  Once there, please park on the end of the building AWAY from the main entrance, a block after 7-eleven.  You'll see an ORANGE door on the right.  Don't go all the way down to main entrance near the New coffee shop, you'll be on the wrong end of the building.The yellow sign for NBACE is above the door...enter there and go up the stairs.  At the top of the stairs...follow small yellow signs for NBACE.  We're right around the corner behind the mural  !!  

Through a generous grant from The Massachusetts Cultural Council and matching funds from the generous Owners of the Kilburn Mill,  The New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium would like to announce its 2026 Indoor Mural Slam Competition at The Kilburn Mill. 

                            The 2 chosen artists will receive $1,500.00                     

General Information

• This is a fun juried art competition.  Your submissions will be protected from the public and will be seen only by our judges.  No submissions will be used in anyway by anyone for any reason other than to determine your status as a potential mural artist for our mural slam. 

• Two Artists will be chosen among the Applicant's  submissions.  Each artist will receive $1,500.00 upon completion of their mural.

• The minimum size for your mural is 8'x 10', though you may absolutely choose to do go bigger !   Original murals will be painted indoors at the Kilburn Mill at chosen locations within the building.  

• It is open to professional and non professional artists within the greater New Bedford area.   Any current residents of New Bedford, Fall River, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Westport, Freetown, Acushnet, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester or Wareham may apply

• The Application/Submission is FREE and Includes professional jurying of up to 3 thumbnail submissions. 

• Applications/Sketches will be accepted from NOW until October 21st

• Winners will be announced on October 23rd. 

• A panel of  8 to 12 local professional artists as well as previous mural slam winners will choose the final 2 contestants.  

• Interviews with each Mural Contestant will take place at NBACE on Oct. 26th in order to approve final qualifications.

• Each juried finalist will be paid $1,500.00 and may have up to 2 volunteer assistants. 

• Contestants will then proceed in one dynamic weekend - One 4 hour block on Friday 11/6 for preparation of space and two 12 hour days for painting- Saturday Nov. 7th and Sunday the 8th to complete their murals.  

• The Chosen Winners MUST be available to paint their murals on the weekend of November 6, 7 and 8th and to attend the Reception on November 15th.  No Exceptions.

• The final mural: Size - 8’ X 10’ foot is the minimum requirement of the mural,  you may make the mural  larger if you prefer and as large as you like.  All payments remain the same.  However if the mural is undersized, payment cannot be made.

• Local and online media will cover the event from Presentation and public awareness to awards ceremony.

• An Opening Reception to see the Murals and meet the artist will be held on Saturday, November 14th where payment will be awarded.

Timeline:

NOW through October 21st - Submit Application and up to three - 5”x7” sketches in ONE EMAIL ONLY to kczukas@comcast.net.  Mural Slam Submission in the subject bar.

October 21 - 23 - Judges deliberate submissions

October 23rd - Winners are notified by telephone between Noon and 1:00.  Must respond by 5 pm.  No exceptions

Monday, October  26th - Scheduled interviews to determine final qualifications, choose or be shown your mural location and sign documents.

Friday, November 6th - Preparation of walls and surrounding space.  Transfer image 

November 7th and 8th- Painting/Making of Mural !!

November 14th - Opening Reception.  Meet the Artists, judges, hosts. 

 

Cut and paste the application below and include it in your ONE email which includes up to 3 full color visual submissions as attachments and your brief biography and artist's statement.   email to :  kczukas@comcast.net

Application: 

Name of Applicant____________________________________________

Today’s Date ________________________________________________

Do you consider yourself a professional artist? _________________________

What is your usual medium? _____________________________________

Do you have a website? _________________________________________

If you are not an Artist, what is your current profession? __________________________________________________________

Date of Birth ____________________________

Home Address________________________________________________

Email address________________________________________________

Cell phone __________________________________________________

Alternative/Additional phone_____________________________________ 

In case of emergency, who do we contact? 

Name_____________________________________________

Cell phone for emergency contact:_______________________________

Current place of employment and position (title) or school attending and department: __________________________________________________________

2 Current non-family References:  Different from emergency contact.

Reference #1 

Name_________________________________________________

How long have you known this person?___________________________

How do you know this person?____________________________________________________  

Reference’s cell phone__________________________

Reference #2

Name______________________________________________________

How long have you known this person?___________________________

How do you know this person__________________________________

Reference’s cell phone__________________________

Have you included your IMAGES?

Have you included your Biography (can be brief ~ 1 to 3 paragraphs). 

Have you included your Artist's statement (even if you're not an artist, explain your image as best you can) 

Are you guaranteed to be available on the weekend of November 6, 7 and 8th for set up, mural painting and clean up as well as on October 26th for an interview and on November 14th for the Opening Reception ?   yes ___________no_____________

Please check and initial.

October 26th:  Time? _______________

November 6, 7 and 8th______________yes_____________no

November 14th ___________yes ___________no

 

The images:

• ABSOLUTELY NO AI or COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGES ACCEPTED.  Submissions must be small hand created images which are photographed and copied to 1,500x2100 pixel images.  

• You do NOT have to submit 3 image ideas, but you may submit up to 3.  

• They should be 3 DIFFERENT images, not 3 of the same image.  

• The images must be 5 x 7 inch thumbnail  “replicas” of your future mural.  1500x2100 pixels.   Please try as close as possible to make your prototype as identical to the mental image of your finished mural.  We are choosing you based on what we see and if what you produce is way different than what you submitted, we have a right to disqualify you and no payment will be made.

• If you plan on using acrylic paint, we suggest you use acrylic paint to do your prototype,  if it’s paper collage, do a tiny-ish paper collage etc. If it’s an extremely unique method, you must submit an extremely detailed explanation with imagery included.  

• Also you must include the general chosen method in which you will transfer your image onto the wall.  Grid drawing, projector etc. Consider the space, if you are in a hallway, you may not be able to use a projector, and therefore must use a grid or other means.

How to Apply as a Contestant:

• Submissions are FREE of charge.

• Submit your application, biography and artist's statement with the words MURAL SLAM SUBMISSION in the subject line of the email and up to Three 5"x7"- 1500x2100 pixel images as an attachment, IN ONE EMAIL to kczukas@comcast.net any time beginning now through October 21st at midnight. 

• Again, Copy and paste the application and fill it out in an email which includes your image submissions attached, your bio and your artist's statement.

• Attach your images to the same email 

• All applications/visual submissions will be carefully considered regardless of date sent, unless past deadline.

•  No visual submissions will be accepted without a completed application.  

• All Submissions will be deliberated by our judges from October 21st - October 23rd.

•  All murals must be a near to exact replica of your  thumbnails. 

•  Please include with EACH visual submission:

• Artist’s name

•  Title of work 

"Copyright and all other intellectual property rights of the submitted artwork remain with the respective artist. The organizers of the competition do not claim any copyright or intellectual property rights over any submitted works."  Ask to see full disclosure in contract when applying. 

Mural Image Criteria:  To enhance being chosen by jury, we suggest:

• Time management.  Get your application and sketches in !!  Remember you have TWO ~ 12 hour days to complete the mural (preparations may begin on Friday from 4:30 to 8:30. and continue on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to manage your time to your greatest benefit. Most past contestants finished within 15 hours.

• If chosen, you may involve up to 2 people to help you per day at your expense.  Encourage volunteer help.

• Must be the Original artwork of the artist/person(s) named on the entry form.  

• Mural should promote public engagement, interaction.  

• It should have Universal Appeal

• Humor is encouraged (family friendly)   

• Positive, uplifting, inspiring and colorful 

• Can be shades of gray, black and white if striking, high contrast.

• No advertisements, logos, commercial or copyrighted images (unless it’s your own copyright)

Criteria for Judging Sketches

Our ultimate objective is to have “entertaining” and interesting murals for our viewers, the general public. The exhibition this year is theme based, BOLD BOTANICALS and will be opened to any and all positive images. Of those 2 artists selected, we will try to show the best of as many different genres and varied media as submitted.

Based on the artwork submitted for initial jury, they will be assessed on the following elements of artistic expression:

• The clarity, aesthetic quality and universal appeal of the subject to the viewer.

• Creativity and originality.

•  Quality of artistic composition and overall design.

• Overall impression of the art. What is the effect of the artwork in general and as a whole? Overall, does the artwork stand on its own as a complete and outstanding work of art?

• Color and image quality.  Colors and images should be bold and balanced and must be able to be accurately and reasonably represented from the original thumbnail sketch submitted.  

• Neatness and Respectability of images.  Sloppiness, incompletion, unless intentional and part of overall original submission  

• Professional quality images. 

• Timely completion of forms, deadlines, etc., respectful, professional attitude, behavior of artists and their staff at all times. 

• Pieces will be evaluated and ranked for recognition against other art that has been submitted.

•  Ultimately, submissions will be chosen based on subjective decisions  of the judges

• IF CHOSEN

• You will be called on the telephone number of which you submitted on your application, on Wednesday, October 21st.  If we can not reach you by phone, we will text you asking you to contact us. You will have one hour to return our call. We will also email you if we can’t reach you by phone or text, and you will need to respond within the hour.  If we don't hear from you, we will contact your emergency contact just to try and get a hold of you.  We realize work sometimes takes over, but please find a plan B for your contact. 

• Because time is of the essence, Winners will be disqualified and their participation will be forfeited if not available to receive news of winning on that day and a runner up choice of artists will be made and notified.  

•  Make an appointment ASAP with the Administration to come to The Kilburn Mill on Oct. 26th for your interview and to see the space where you will do your mural !!  First come, first served, so get in there as soon as possible !!  

•  Get your supplies together: If selected, the artist is responsible for obtaining all supplies, equipment, ladders, brushes etc., personal snacks and beverages, lunches, volunteer assistants and basic needs.  Most murals do not require usually more than 1 tube of acrylic paint per color...unless you have a very monochromatic painting !

 Artist’s Responsibilities:

•  Artists must prep to protect surrounding space on FRIDAY - November 6th from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. so as to not soil or damage any local public area, whether floors, ceilings, windows, moldings or walls.  Drop cloths, taping and all prep work must be in place before painting begins. Must have approval by Admin.

• Artist and work materials can not be left at the mural site between working sessions.  Each floor will have a designated area for you to store your supplies over night or you may take them with you.  Neither NBACE nor Kilburn Mill is responsible for ANY of your supplies and materials, including paints, drop cloths etc. 

• Mural must be sealed with an anti-graffiti sealant:  Recommended sealant is Mural Shield:  https://www.graffitiremovalinc.com/products/muralshield?gclid=Cj0KCQjwho-lBhC_ARIsAMpgMoeT_n2Ml89epYmqIxATiEdVA6iycdbCW9jwGMsV4l0DvoU3lsr-1u4aAvjSEALw_wcB

• Complete clean up, removal and disposal of prep and supplies must occur by 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 9th.  All superfluous paint spots, tape, trash, any mess or unreasonable debris left behind will sadly disqualify you from winning the competition.  Admin will come by and OK you for the Signature process ! Once ok’ed, you may sign your piece (lower right corner). 

• Murals must not be signed until Admin comes by between 7:00 and 8:30 to OK you for completion and contest entry.  If you have finished earlier, please contact Administrator. 

• Parking is the responsibility of the Artists and their crew.  Neither NBACE nor The Kilburn Mill are responsible for any issues concerning your vehicle during the time you are in or near the building for any reason including damage, theft, parking or moving violations.

• Meet the Artists, See the Murals:  Must attend the Opening Reception on Saturday, November 14th at the Kilburn Mill Studio 260 from 6 to 9 pm

• Fill Out a W-9 form. It is Massachusetts state law that prize earnings are taxed.  You will receive a W-9 form to fill out, and then it is up to you whether you submit again at tax time.

Medium Suggestions:

Applicants may choose to submit ideas for murals in the following medium:

Paint  We recommend Acrylic Tubes or house paint with a clear, archival sealant or spray paint if you are well experienced in its nuances:

Possible style ideas:

Realism

Classic (expressionist, impressionist etc.)

Pop Art

Collage

Psychedelic 

3D illusion

Stylized 

Stenciled

Illustrative

Cartoon

Optical illusions

Abstract (marks must be re-creatable from thumbprint to wall sized)

Graffiti style (marks must be reasonably re-creatable from thumbprint to wall sized)

Other Medium:

Collage - paper, image, may include fabric, threading, rope, light objects 

Photo collage

Mixed media - if so, must be archival, need zero maintenance, and be “fixed” with polyurethane

Electricity may not be used as part of a display.

Timeline:

NOW through October 21st - Submit Application and up to three - 1500x2100 pixel images of your original mural ideas.

October 21 - 23 - Judges deliberate submissions

October 23rd - Winners are notified by telephone between Noon and 1:00. Must respond by 5 pm.

Monday, October 26th - Scheduled interviews to choose your mural location and sign documents.

Friday, November 6th - Preparation of walls and surrounding space. Transfer image

November 7th and 8th- Painting/Making of Mural !!

November 14th - Opening Reception. Meet the Artists, judges, hosts.