Call For Entry

Inaugural Traverse City Mural Festival

Timeline:

Dec. 13, 2024: RFP released

Feb. 7, 2025: RFP closes and artist qualifications due

Feb. 19: Arts Commission reviews artist qualifications and selects finalists

March 14: Finalists submit concept art

March 19: Arts Commission selects artists

September 12-17: Mural Festival

Timeline subject to change.

The Inaugural Traverse City Mural Festival is the leading project of the North Boardman Creative Initiative, a multi-year initiative to contribute to the sense-of-place of the newly established North Boardman Lake District (NOBO) through artful placemaking. Aiming to create a unique visual experience and contribute to the vitality of the corridor, the Inaugural Traverse City Mural Festival is scheduled for September 12-17, 2025 and will take place in the North Boardman Lake District area surrounding Eighth Street and the Boardman Lake Loop trail.

In 2019, the City completed a full reconstruction of Eighth Street, a transformational project leading to much more pedestrian-friendly streets and spurring new and expanding development, including several new breweries and restaurants. Adjacent to Eighth Street Corridor, the completion of the Boardman Lake Loop has brought new people and energy to the area, recently formalized with a new brand and identity: North Boardman Lake District (NOBO). Building on this excitement and opportunity for additional placemaking through public art, the Traverse City Arts Commission, in partnership with TART Trails and other partners along the corridor, established the North Boardman Creative Initiative.

Join us in the Inaugural Traverse City Mural Festival for the unique opportunity to contribute to NOBO’s placemaking by creating new public art and participating in supporting events throughout the festival to engage community members and artists in thoughtful dialogue.