COMMUNITY MURALS FOR 13TH & FIR
Request For Qualifications (RFQ)
206 Zulu and SCIDpda, two community-based organizations, are seeking mural artists or artist teams to design and install publicly viewable murals on the exterior of 13th & Fir, a new affordable housing development located in the Central Area in Seattle, Washington.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
13th & Fir is a joint venture of two local non-profit affordable housing developers, the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) and Community Roots Housing (CRH). The building is a 6-story mixed use housing project providing space for 156 low-income family-sized apartment units, community-based commercial spaces, and a childcare center.
SCIDpda, who manages the property, is partnering with local arts organization 206 Zulu to facilitate the installation of murals at 13th & Fir. For over a decade, 206 Zulu has been hosting their annual Off the Wall event, a one-of-a-kind annual graffiti art competition and community festival that spotlights the local and international talent from the aerosol art community, at the old King County records building (the current site of 13th & Fir). This project is a unique opportunity to continue the legacy of street art at a building designed to help our low-income families live and stay in Seattle. The goal for this project is to create large-scale art at an affordable housing building, 13th & Fir, that is impactful and reflective of the immediate neighborhoods’ collective values and diverse community.
ART PLAN
In the winter and spring of 2022, 206 Zulu and SCIDpda facilitated meetings with an Art Advisory Committee (AAC) to create an art plan for 13th & Fir. The art plan is a document that establishes the foundation for the art selection process, art themes, location priorities, and community engagement process. A number of community-based organizations and other community partners are represented on the AAC, including Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Seattle University, Norman Mitchell Manor, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Mithun, Friends of Little Saigon, Seattle Housing Authority, Community Roots Housing, and Denise Louie Education Center. We highly encourage all interested artists/artist teams to review the Art Plan to gain a better understanding of the values and goals of this project. The Art Plan can be viewed here.
FUNDING
This project is funded through a grant from the Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD) through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) Program. See “PROJECT BUDGET” for further detail and payment schedule.
LOCATION
The building is located at 1215 East Fir Street, at the intersection of Yesler Terrace, the Central District, and Chinatown International District. This Request for Qualifications is looking for artists/artist teams who will focus on external mural locations on the west facade. The wall is in a prominent location visible to the Yesler Street traffic, Seattle Streetcar, Bailey Gatzert Elementary, and Washington Hall.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Artists will participate in two in-person community forums to collect community feedback and inform the mural designs. These community forums will engage residents of 13th & Fir and the surrounding community.
During the forums, artists will
(1) present previous work to showcase their art style
(2) show potential color palettes, design motifs, etc. for community members to comment on, and
(3) be prepared to discuss themes and ideas with attendees to collaboratively build the design with the community.
Design proposals will be built after community engagement is completed and should incorporate feedback from engagement events.
Forums will be scheduled between Late October-November 2025, based on artist availability. To engage the greatest number of community members, we will schedule one forum on a weekday evening and one forum on a weekend afternoon.
ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS
Phase 1: Request for Qualifications. Artist and artist teams are invited to submit their qualifications for consideration. A detailed list of required submission materials is listed below under “RFQ SUBMISSION MATERIALS.” All submissions must be made by August 8, 2025 via email to 206zulu@gmail.com.
PROJECT TIMELINE – 2025
| July 7 | Request for Qualifications issued |
| August 8 | Request for Qualifications due |
| August 2025 | Applications reviewed and artists are selected |
| September 2025 | Selected artists contacted and contracts initiated |
| Late October-November 2025 | Artists will participate in 2 community forums to collect community feedback to inform design |
| January 31, 2026 | Final proposal reviewed and approved |
| Spring 2026-Summer 2026 | Mural development, coordination, and installation. We recommend an installation date in late spring or early summer to avoid crowds in Seattle for mid-June through early-July sports events. |
| Fall 2026 | Mural reveal and community celebration |
PROJECT BUDGET
| Description | Amount | Details |
| Mural Area 14 Artist Budget | $67,600 | $50 per sq. ft for artist/artist team. Fee is inclusive of all prep and design time, meeting with planning team, attendance at engagement events, travel, and implementation. Fee also includes all artist supplies including primer, paint, brushes, etc. |
| Mural Area 14 Equipment and rentals | $10,000 | Ladders, boom lifts, swing stages, etc. |
| Mural Area 15 Artist Budget | $67,600 | $50 per sq. ft for artist/artist team. Fee is inclusive of all prep and design time, meeting with planning team, attendance at engagement events, travel, and implementation. Fee also includes all artist supplies including primer, paint, brushes, etc. |
| Mural Area 15 Equipment and rentals | $10,000 | Ladders, boom lifts, swing stages, etc. |
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Payments will be made directly to the artist using the following schedule:
- $9,500 will be paid upon completion of contract
- $9,500 will be paid upon completion of community engagement events
- $28,600 will be paid upon approval of final draft (includes $10,000 budget for equipment/rentals)
- $30,000 will be paid upon completion of mural
RFQ SUBMISSION MATERIALS
Please send a proposal to 206zulu@gmail.com addressing the following:
- Current CV/resume. Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member.
- Cover Letter or Letter of Interest and Approach limited to one page. Applicants should briefly describe their interest in the project and include a description of your creative vision for the project and how it connects and aligns with community values and themes in the Art Plan.
- Ten (10) images max of previously completed work that demonstrates an ability to design, create, and paint large scale, outdoor murals. We suggest providing images of 3- 5 different artworks with 2-3 distinctive views of each piece, including one wide shot and one detail shot of each artwork. Do not collage multiple images into one image.
- Image identification list: An image identification list should be provided corresponding to the submitted images. Information should include image number, artist’s name, title, year, media, dimensions, and location.
- Three (3) professional references. Please include name, title, affiliation, phone number and email address.
- Submission Format: Responses shall be submitted as a single PDF file.
- Submit proposal via email to 206zulu@gmail.com.
- Additional Materials: Artists may include up to five (5) selections of support materials (links) such as reviews, news articles, and other related information.
- Deadline: August 8, 2025 by 12:00 PM PST.
ELIGIBILITY
Artists who are over the age of 18 and located within the United States are eligible to submit their interest and qualifications. BIPOC artists with personal ties to the neighborhood and Seattle are highly encouraged to apply. Artists must be available for in-person community engagement events as outlined on the project timeline. Ability to attend mural unveiling event preferred but not required. Artists who have a strong professional profile, experience in producing public murals and/or have successfully worked on collaborative projects of this scale are encouraged to apply. Artist teams may also apply. Artists must be able to adhere to the project timeline.
RFQ SELECTION CRITERIA
Submissions will be scored on the following, with a maximum score of 100 points:
- Artistic Excellence (30 points): The artist’s work reflects artistic excellence, innovation, and originality as evidenced by quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills and techniques; demonstrates professional approaches to processes and presentations; and/or communicates a unique vision or perspective
- Professional Experience (25 points): The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project, including a proven ability to meet project budgets, deadlines, and to perform work in a timely and professional manner. Public art experience is required.
- Experience working on a project of similar scale (30 points): Previous work that can specifically demonstrate the successful completion of projects that include partnering with stakeholders for the purpose of creating public art of this size and scale. Preference for experience working with walls of similar scale that require the use of lifts.
- Values and Theme (15 points): How aligned is the artist’s proposal and personal outlook reflected in the community values and ability to incorporate the themes and ideas presented.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
All materials must be received by 12:00 PM PST on August 8, 2025. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
About SCIDpda: The Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) is a community development organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, and develop the Seattle Chinatown International District (CID) as a vibrant community and unique ethnic neighborhood. We have over a 45-year success record of increasing neighborhood sustainability through innovative programs and projects that balance development and preservation.
About 206 Zulu: A non-profit organization based in Washington Hall dedicated to providing accessible spaces while serving communities through the upliftment, preservation, and celebration of Hip Hop culture.
