Call for Mural Design Proposals
Applications for concepts/proposals will close October 15th.
Introduction
Open Harvest Co-op Grocery seeks proposals from experienced artists for the design and digital rendering of a mural to be installed on the interior brick wall near the checkout of the co-op’s new location at 330 S 21st Street in the Telegraph District.
The mural will celebrate the co-op’s 50 year history, the wonders of our local ecosystem, our connection to the community, and the exciting future in our new location.
Goals
Our goals for this mural project are:
- To raise awareness of Open Harvest Co-op Grocery and our important role in the community.
- To reinforce the co-op as a welcoming environment to sit and enjoy good food.
- To highlight our relationships with local farmers and producers.
- To create a “sense of community and charm” as people exit our store.
- To create a landmark for people to capture their visit to Open Harvest Co-op Grocery.
Mural designs should convey a clear sense of place, align with the co-op’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility, and reinforce feelings of belonging, hope, and progress. Designs must include sheaves of wheat and leaves in homage to our former and current logos. These symbols represent our journey and growth, rooted in tradition yet reaching for new horizons. We seek proposals that convey the natural beauty of the southeast Nebraska region and affirm Open Harvest Co-op Grocery as a place of welcome for locals and visitors alike. Let your creativity flow as you create a vibrant mural that reflects our commitment to our community and the exciting future ahead!
About Open Harvest Co-op Grocery
Open Harvest Co-op Grocery exists so there will be a vibrant community that:
- Has access to healthy, organic, and local food
- Supports economic justice and strengthens the local economy
- Upholds inclusive, socially responsible practices
- Contributes to a strong local food system and a sustainable environment
- Embodies cooperative principles
Open Harvest Co-op has been nourishing the Lincoln community with local and natural foods since 1975. For decades, and through three different locations, Open Harvest has remained a community-owned, full-service grocery store dedicated to supporting local producers, offering healthy and sustainable foods, and fostering cooperative values.
Today, the co-op is made up of over 2,900+ owners and remains the area’s only co-op grocery store in Lincoln. With continued growth and tremendous community support, the co-op looks forward to celebrating another 50+ years.
Mural Site Location and Specifications
The mural will be installed in-store at 330 S 21st Street, Suite 104, Lincoln, NE 68510.
The mural wall is located in the co-op’s store, on the interior brick wall, near the cash registers. The space measures approximately 12′ 10″ x 8′ 6. Due tothe high-traffic nature of the mural site, the mural will be digitally rendered, printed on vinyl, and professionally installed
The completed mural will be visible by the co-op’s indoor shoppers.
Eligibility
This call is open to all US-based artists. Artists from our community and the surrounding Lincoln area are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates must be professional artists, illustrators, or graphic designers; eligible to work in the United States; and age 18 and older.
Proposal Requirements
The following is required for consideration as a completed proposal:
- Contact information: Name, address, telephone number, email address
- Resume/CV for artist(s)
- Written narrative describing your artistic vision and proposal (No longer than 2 single-spaced pages)
- Sketches to explain your vision (Sketches/concepts may or may not incorporate the co-op’s logo) – must be vibrant and contain people, food, and convey elements of community
- Examples of past work, either attached as a PDF or with a shared web address to a digital portfolio (Maximum of 5)
- Letters of Recommendation (Minimum of 2)
Optional: additional support materials such as news articles on past work.
Should the artist envision incorporating community engagement in the design process, we encourage you to include this in your written narrative.
Deadline
October 15th, 2025 – deadline for receipt of proposals
Materials must be submitted in person or via email to the marketing department at marketing@openharvest.coop as a PDF. A confirmation email will be sent to all applicants. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of the deadline, please contact Shelly Salem via email at marketing@openharvest.coop or by phone at (402) 475-9069.
Budget
A total of $1,000 has been identified for an artist’s stipend to design and digitally render the mural. The artist will be responsible for their own materials for the mural mock-up.
Selection Process
A representative co-op committee will review all completed proposals. We will select up to three semifinalists to interview. We will select one finalist for the project.
The following will be considered in the selection process:
- Artist met the requirements outlined in the RFP; the proposal was submitted by the deadline.
- Attention to the mission of the project.
- Evidence of ability to create large-scale, distinctive work.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain project timelines.
- Originality and creativity.
Project Timeline
- September 15, 2025 Announcement and distribution of RFP
- October 15, 2025 Deadline for receipt of proposals
- October 31, 2025 All submissions reviewed and semifinalists selected.
- November 17, 2025 Interviews with semifinalists
- December 1, 2025 Artist selected and contract completed
- January 2nd, 2026 Art design concept finalized and approved
- February 1st, 2026 Art design finalized and submitted for printing
- March 1st, 2026 Mural installed & unveiled
Ownership
The artist(s) will retain ownership of any ideas submitted for consideration until a final selection has been made and a contract will be signed between Open Harvest Co-op Grocery and the selected artist(s). At that time, Open Harvest Co-op Grocery will obtain 100% ownership of artwork produced, in whatever stage of completion, and the artwork shall become the property of Open Harvest as a work made for hire as defined by the copyright laws of the United States. Open Harvest Co-op Grocery shall be the sole and exclusive owner and copyright proprietor of all rights and title in and to the results and proceeds of artist’s services hereunder. In addition, artist(s) will represent being the sole author(s) of the work and that all services are original by artist(s) and not copied in whole or in part.