Artists Sought for Multiple Permanent Murals Coming to Milwaukee’s Riverwalk

MILWAUKEE (July 11, 2024) – Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 and the Downtown Placemaking Task Force, in partnership with the Milwaukee Riverwalk District, are seeking artists to design and install four new murals along the Milwaukee Riverwalk. A request for proposals (RFP) has been issued for four sites that extend from Mason Street to Knapp Street in Downtown Milwaukee. The intent is to engage pedestrian and waterway traffic with diverse works from several artists or artist collectives. Pending weather conditions, mural installations would begin mid-September 2024 and be complete by early October 2024.

“Milwaukee’s nationally recognized riverwalk is a destination for locals and visitors alike,” said Erica Green, Director of Public Space Initiatives for Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “As part of the priorities put forth by the City of Milwaukee’s Downtown Area Plan, the focus of these mural installations is to enhance connectivity to our surrounding neighborhoods and cultivate dynamic conversations on public art. Downtown has established itself as a burgeoning arts destination and we look forward to further enhancing our public realm.”

The RFP identifies four locations for the permanent murals. They include: the west-facing wall of the Milwaukee Riverwalk at Marcus Performing Arts Center (east side of Milwaukee River), the east-facing wall of the Milwaukee Riverwalk below the Knapp Street Bridge (west side of Milwaukee River), the west-facing wall of the Juneau Street Bridge Tower (east side of Milwaukee River), and the east-facing wall of the Milwaukee Riverwalk at 740 North by 3L Living (west side of Milwaukee River). Each location presents a different canvas size, with the largest spanning 2,700 square feet. Interested artists and artist collectives will be asked to incorporate the vitality and significance of the Milwaukee River and the Milwaukee Riverwalk into the unique neighborhood context of the mural site.

Since 2017, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 and the Downtown Placemaking Task Force have coordinated more than 25 murals throughout Downtown Milwaukee. They include Westown in Bloom, Heart & Sol, Schlitz Park mural, Brighten the Passage and the Giannis mural, to name just a few.

To view the Milwaukee Riverwalk Mural Collection RFP and submission requirements, visit www.milwaukeedowntown.com/do-business/current-rfps. Submissions will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.