Ryan Field Southeast Façade Mural
Evanston, Illinois
Issued by: Northwestern University, in coordination with the City of Evanston
RFQ Release Date: September 21, 2026
Qualifications Deadline: October 23, 2026
Northwestern University invites artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for the design of a large-scale mural to be installed on the southeast façade of the new Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. This public-facing artwork will occupy a prominent exterior location on the new stadium and is intended to reflect the character of Evanston, the relationship between the University and the City, and a shared vision for the future.
This RFQ seeks artists with a strong record of artistic excellence and demonstrated capacity to create compelling work for large-scale public presentation. Evanston-based artists and artists with meaningful ties to Evanston are especially encouraged to apply.
Timeline
Please note the following project timeline:
- September 21, 2026: RFQ issued by Northwestern University
- October 23, 2026: RFQ responses due
- By November 13, 2026: Finalists notified
- December 15, 2026: Finalist proposals due
- January 15, 2027: Selected artist or artist team notified
- March 15, 2027: Final production-ready digital artwork due
- Late April/early May 2027: Mural installation and dedication
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants shall submit a single electronic portfolio package using this Formstack link managed by the City of Evanston no later than October 23, 2026. Incomplete submissions or materials received after the deadline may not be considered.
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks artists and artist teams with demonstrated artistic excellence and experience creating work for public audiences. Artists should have the capacity to develop imagery that translates successfully to large-scale digital production and permanent architectural vinyl applications.
Do not submit design proposals at this stage. Finalists selected through the qualifications review process will be invited to develop concepts in a subsequent phase.
Selection Process
The Arts Council of Evanston will review the portfolio of applicants. 3 artists / teams will be selected as semi-finalists and paid a fee of $2500 to develop and present a site specific proposal. Correspondence will be sent to the semi-finalists and to the winning artist / team detailing the proposal process and contracts. The winner will receive an additional $17,500 for a total of $20,000 for the winning artist. Following the community and stakeholder input, the three finalists will be submitted to the Ryan Family and Northwestern University for selection of the winning artist/artist team.
Budget Details
The artist fee of $20,000 for the finalist will cover expenses for completion of the digital artwork. This award excludes fabrication and installation which will be covered by Northwestern University.
Project Overview
Northwestern is building a new, state-of-the-art Ryan Field that will serve as the home of Northwestern football and as a year-round gathering place for cultural events, community programming, and civic engagement.
As part of a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Evanston, space has been dedicated on the southeast wall of the new stadium for the installation of a local, Evanston-focused mural. The selected artwork may include Evanston-focused imagery, themes, text, and/or names, and should respond thoughtfully to the site’s civic visibility and symbolic importance. Applicants should have a demonstrated ability to engage communities and translate diverse stakeholder perspectives into strong, unified visual imagery.
The University envisions this commission as an opportunity to create a lasting visual expression of shared identity, history, and connection between Northwestern University and the Evanston community.
Project Goals
The mural should engage one or more of the following themes:
- The unique identity, character, and diversity of Evanston
- The historical and evolving relationship between Northwestern University and the City of Evanston
- Shared pride, belonging, and community
- A forward-looking sense of opportunity, creativity, and connection
Artists are encouraged to propose approaches that are original, site-responsive, and legible at an architectural scale. A wide range of visual styles may be considered, including representational, abstract, text-based, or hybrid approaches.
Site and Artwork Specifications
The mural will be installed on the southeast façade of the new Ryan Field in Evanston. The selected artist will ultimately deliver a production-ready digital artwork for fabrication as a permanent architectural vinyl wrap on the southeast façade of Ryan Field. The artist is not expected to paint directly on the building. Final fabrication and installation of the vinyl wrap will be undertaken by Northwestern University.
Final artwork requirements:
- Approximate final dimensions: 78.4 feet wide x 15.4 feet high, including bleed
- Final artwork scale: minimum 1:10
- Resolution: minimum 300 dpi for raster-based files
- Color profile: RGB
- Accepted file formats: PSD, TIFF, JPEG, AI, or EPS
- Final production method: printed on vinyl
Artists applying to this RFQ should be prepared to work within large-format digital production requirements and coordinate with project representatives on final file preparation. It will take the firm fabricating and installing the mural approximately 7–8 weeks after receipt of the final artwork.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to:
- Individual artists
- Artist teams or collaboratives
- Digital artists, graphic designers, muralists, public artists, painters, illustrators, designers, and interdisciplinary practitioners with relevant experience
Priority consideration will be given to:
- Artists based in Evanston
- Artists with meaningful Evanston ties
- Artists with experience in public art, mural design, or other large-scale civic or community-facing projects
Emerging artists are welcome to apply, though applicants should demonstrate the capacity to complete a project of this scale and visibility.
Scope of Work
The selected artist or artist team will be expected to:
- Develop an original mural design responsive to the project themes and site
- Participate in meetings with project representatives and, if requested, stakeholder review conversations
- Refine the design based on technical feedback and project parameters
- Deliver final production-ready digital files according to project specifications
- Coordinate, as needed, with fabricators or project managers regarding final artwork preparation
This RFQ is for qualifications only. Finalists will be invited to develop concept proposals in a subsequent phase.