When are applications accepted? For Vancouver Mural Festival? For VMF Winter Arts?↓

We can’t wait to see your work. We’re trying something different this year. Follow along on our social media accounts and website, or sign up for our e-newsletter for more information as it becomes available. Vancouver Mural Festival 2022 applications are open until Feb 25th 2022.

When are artists selected/notified for each of your festivals?↓

Participating artists are generally invited to participate in our upcoming events 3-6 months in advance of the events. For specific dates, please refer to each artist application.

What is your artist selection process?↓

Our lead curator works closely with the Director of Creative Projects and guest curators to shape an initial long-list for the Festival. This list is based on the hundreds of portfolio submissions we receive each year, alongside an ongoing research process of meeting new artists, doing studio visits, seeing exhibitions, and soliciting recommendations. Artists are then shortlisted for individual walls and neighbourhoods, and pitched to stakeholders such as property owners, funders, tenants, and community members for approval. Some of the factors that go into this process are site-specific considerations stemming from community consultation, research, and engagement around issues of cultural representation, history, storytelling, artistic vision, and stylistic cohesion.

Do I have to be a Muralist to Apply?↓

You don’t need to have painted a wall before, but you do need to be a practicing artist. We are interested in showcasing a variety of artistic styles and facilitating artists who don't typically have the chance to work in public spaces. Styles and mediums we have featured in the past include but aren't limited to muralism, street art, graffiti, fine art, tattoo, animation, illustration, contemporary art, designers, community artists, and more! We do provide support for artists taking on their first mural with us.

Why have some artists painted in multiple festivals or projects? ↓

There are many factors between selecting a wall until the final artwork lands on it. These variables range from complexity, access, building owner’s wishes, community or tenant’s businesses, strata input, and more. Even though we show stakeholders many artist options, they will ultimately make the decision as to who the final artist will be to paint on their buildings. With so many first-time muralists as part of each festival, we offer opportunities for artists to expand their practice beyond a single mural onto larger walls and more complex projects that help build their portfolios. With VMF Agency work, year-round clients often request artists from previous festivals based on their work with us, which in turn helps to fund other projects that support emerging artists. We also often work with past artists as production lead painters or assistants on new murals, as means of supporting emerging artists through technical support, or realizing complex projects that require specialized skills.

Why do some curators also have murals in the festival?↓

Our curators are often practicing artists themselves, and have a familiarity with mural making that isn’t shared amongst a large population of artists in our region — but of course that’s changing as we offer more and more artists training and skills for mural creation.

How/when can performing artists apply for the Pop Up Patio and other VMF events?↓

Keep an eye out on our application page for our call outs which happen each spring. Our community curators select from our submissions and their network for performances.

Who are your guest curators?↓

We invite new guest curators to work with us each year. As with our artists, there is a balance of emerging and established curators, and we are developing a mentorship program to support our curators in learning about the process of working in public space. Since 2018, we have committed to always having a guest curator from one of the three Host Nations. The call for guest curators is posted in January, and the lineup is announced before each Festival. Please see the curators section of our website to learn more

How many artists are local vs international?↓

We curate for around 70%+ local talent. We believe in showcasing the amazing work tucked away in studios, galleries, and private collections all over our city and bringing it to the streets! We also bring in a few national and international artists every year to add to the mix (2020/21 pandemic years being the exception). This enhances the experience of our local artists through mentorship, collaboration, technical learning, and networking, and helps to raise Vancouver’s profile internationally.

What’s the significance of the murals?↓

Each piece has its own story and meaning.. We do a lot of work to ensure the artist retains as much creative license as possible in the process, while being guided by feedback from the curators and community stakeholders. To learn more about individual pieces, please download the VMF app.

Do building owners get to choose the designs of the murals on their properties? ↓

We work together with building owners, funders, businesses, and residents to find styles of art or artist portfolios that they are excited about, which allows for the selected artists to express themselves as freely as possible. Building owners have an important say in what goes up on their properties — and we work hard to ensure the engagement of tenants, locals, and the community.

Are there themes or guidelines that muralists need to follow when designing their murals? ↓

Normally we don’t have overarching themes, however, site-specific context such as history, location, and community stories, can influence the inspiration of a mural. This is usually taken into consideration by both the artist and in our initial curation. Otherwise, we simply require that there is no gratuitous sexualization, violence, hate, or racism included in any of the artwork we help produce.

How do you choose your walls? ↓

Many businesses and property owners approach VMF directly, but we also reach out if we see a location we're interested in. We’re looking for walls that have high visibility, accessibility for lifts, and are free of excessive architectural features, textures or barriers, like slopes or power lines. And of course, we like to group the murals so that people can easily enjoy as many as possible on foot, bike or mobility device. There are many factors to consider!

How do you ensure diversity of artists in the festival? ↓

Our team and curators work hard to support artists from a range of backgrounds, mediums, and experience levels in telling their stories. Artist’s portfolios are our primary focus, but we also rely on our community partners and curatorial advisors to help ensure these values are reflected in our final line up. We are very happy to say that since 2017 our artist lineup has included over 45% female-identified artists, over 45% self-identified minorities and non-binary preople, and 15% Indigenous artists. We strive to represent a wide spectrum of backgrounds and styles by engaging and supporting the development of new mural artists. More than half of our muralists, while very experienced in other mediums, are often working on their first mural at the festival. Every year, we continue to deepen this dedication to diversity, both within our own organization and in our growing artist roster. We hope to build partnerships with, and bring visibility to, under-represented communities in the arts, including LGBTQ artists, BIPOC, gender-diverse folks, people with disabilities, local and land-based First Nations and others.

We strive to represent a wide spectrum of backgrounds and styles by engaging and supporting the development of new mural artists. More than half of our muralists, while very experienced in other mediums, are often working on their first mural at the festival.

Every year, we continue to deepen this dedication to diversity, both within our own organization and in our growing artist roster. We hope to build partnerships with and bring visibility to under-represented communities in the arts, including LGBTQ artists, BIPOC, gender-diverse folks, people with disabilities, local and land-based First Nations and others.

What is your target for diversity when choosing artists? ↓

50% female-identified, 50% BIPOC, 15% Indigenous

What is your relationship to the city in terms of funding?↓

Create Vancouver Society is an independently registered non-profit organization. We receive granted funds from the City Of Vancouver (generally Cultural Affairs and the Mural Support Program). We also work very closely with Film and Special Events, the Vancouver Police Department, Parks Board, Fire Department, City Engineering and other agencies to ensure appropriate permissions for use of public spaces and streets.

How much funding have you received from City of Vancouver and how is it spent?↓

From 2016-2018, we received a total of $300,000 from the City of Vancouver's Arts & Culture Department in matching funds via the “Public Art Boost” grant. This award was an incredible gift and vote of confidence which helped us to become who we are today. We also receive support from the Mural Support Program via Integrated Graffiti Management Program. Annually, we apply for grants through all levels of government to support public art installations and celebrations. This information is publicly available through the City of Vancouver Office of Cultural Affairs

What is the Mural Support Program?↓

Please click here for more information about this City of Vancouver Program.

How do you fund the festival? / Can you share more about your operating budget?↓

To help cover costs such as artist fees, equipment rentals, paint, rent, mural and event production, insurance, communications, mural maintenance, staff and contractors we source funds through:

• Sponsorship

• Grants

• Donations

• BIAs and Private Owners paying for murals on their buildings

• Fee-for-Service contracts with clients

Artist and project costs make up about 60% of our expenses. Grant funds make up around 25% of our project budgets. Private payees and VMF Agency work makes up around 60%. All depending on the year.