Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: Local
State: Illinois
Entry Deadline: 11/10/25
Budget: BUDGET Finalist honorarium: $1,000 Commission budget: $85,000 This budget must cover all project costs, including artist and design fees, materials, installation, permits, insurance, and any other related expenses.
INTRODUCTION
The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Office of Alderman Conway, invites Chicago area artists, artist teams, and arts organizations to submit their qualifications for a mural commission at the Union Pacific railroad viaduct located at Fulton Street and Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.
PROJECT CONTEXT: PUBLIC ART MENU PROGRAM
This project is part of the City of Chicago’s Public Art Menu Program, through which DCASE collaborates with Aldermanic offices to commission neighborhood-based public artworks using discretionary capital funds allocated through City Wards.
ELIGIBILITY
This opportunity is open to all professional artists, artist teams, and arts organizations based in the Chicago area.
SUMMARY OF THE OPPORTUNITY
Tucked between the bustle of downtown and the energy of Fulton Market, the viaduct at Fulton Street and Milwaukee Avenue sits at a key crossroads in the Fulton River District. This neighborhood—bordered by the Chicago River, the Kennedy Expressway, Ohio Street, and Madison Street—is a gateway between the Loop and the Near West Side, where history, movement, and momentum converge. Just beyond the viaduct to the west is the ever-evolving Fulton Market District, a thriving mix of restaurants, businesses, and new residences. The viaduct along Fulton Street serves as a vital connector, channeling foot traffic, cyclists, and vehicles between these vibrant areas.
This opportunity invites artists to reimagine the north- and south-facing walls of the viaduct with a large-scale painted mural that transforms the space into something more than a pass-through—it should become a place to pause, to look, and to connect. We’re looking for a bold and imaginative vision that reflects the richness of the surrounding community: its layered history as a transportation hub and its present-day pulse of movement, culture, and creativity.
The mural should not only beautify the space but create a memorable experience for everyone who passes through—whether they’re walking to work, biking home, or driving by. Designs should consider scale and sightlines from multiple perspectives and
aim to leave a lasting impression that sparks curiosity and a deeper appreciation for public art in everyday spaces.
Artwork Locations:
- North wall under viaduct: 16’H x 101’W
- South wall under viaduct: 16’H x 94’W
- Retaining wall just west of the north wall: 25’H x 51’W
- Corner wall near Milwaukee Avenue: 16’H x 6’W
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dca/Public Art/rfq/fultonmilviaductrfq.pdf