5//12/25 Application Deadline for Lincoln Highway Exterior Wall Mural in DeKalb, IL... UGH! It Needs Help, Folks! Details here...

The mural will be created on the east wall of the above building on the northwest corner of East Lincoln Highway and Seventh Street. The dimensions of the wall are approximately 30 ft. tall x 55 ft. long. The wall is at the eastern entrance to downtown DeKalb and can be seen clearly from Lincoln Highway. The artist may use some or all of the eastern wall. The mural must be at least large enough to cover the silhouette of the previous mural (darker red color in photo, approximately 10 ft. tall x 16 ft. wide).

PROJECT OVERVIEW & APPLICATION INFORMATION

The City of DeKalb (“City”) and the City’s Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (“CCEC”) are accepting proposals for a mural celebrating the City’s location along the historic Lincoln Highway, Abraham Lincoln and the Declaration of Independence.

Project Description

Mural proposals should tell a story weaving together the following themes:

Lincoln Highway: Lincoln Highway is the main east-west thoroughfare in DeKalb; however, its significance extends beyond the City. Dedicated in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was the nation’s first transcontinental highway, stretching from Times Square in New York City to San Francisco. Designed to encourage cross-country travel at a time when most roads were unpaved, the Lincoln Highway set the stage for the creation of the U.S. highway network and, later, the Interstate Highway System. This historic and cultural icon was celebrated in DeKalb with a mural on a building at Seventh Street and East Lincoln Highway; however, this mural recently fell and was damaged beyond repair. Like its predecessor, the City and CCEC would like the new mural, which is replacing the damaged mural, to reflect its location along the historic roadway.

Declaration of Independence: 2026 will be a significant year for patriotism and historical reflection as the United States marks its 250th anniversary and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. To help commemorate this milestone as part of the America250 initiative, the National Endowment for the Arts is encouraging applicants for grant funding to celebrate the semiquincentennial in their proposed projects by honoring the nation’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. Additionally, the City and CCEC plan to join the state’s initiative to recognize the anniversary, called the Illinois America250. As a NEA grant applicant for this project and an Illinois America250 participant, the City and CCEC have adopted the Declaration of Independence as a theme of the mural.

Abraham Lincoln: The Declaration of Independence played a profound role in the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln saw the Declaration as the moral foundation for the nation and used it to define the purpose of the Civil War, declaring in his Gettysburg Address that the nation was “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Lincoln also believed the Declaration provides the ideals that bind together the diverse people of this nation as demonstrated in this 1858 speech given in Chicago (provide link to following document provided by Bill). To honor his legacy, the nation’s first transcontinental highway was named after the 16th president. Applicants are encouraged to use Abraham Lincoln to bridge the themes of the Lincoln Highway and the Declaration of Independence in their mural proposals.

Eligibility

This project is open to all artists, especially local and regional artists. The City and CCEC encourages applications from Northern Illinois University (NIU) students, faculty, and alumni artists. DeKalb area and NIU applicants may be given preference if all else is equal.

Artists may apply as an individual artist or as a group. For group submissions, a signed Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement will be required for each participating artist.

Criteria

Artists with previous mural design and installation experience are eligible to submit a proposal. Artists shall submit the following for consideration:

• Artist Application

• Resume

• Link to portfolio

• Narrative describing design concept, one to two paragraphs

• Optional: Sketch of proposed design

• Line-item budget

• References

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• incorporation of the three themes outlined in the “Project Description,”

• the artistic excellence, vibrancy, and originality of the artist

• the appropriateness of the design for its site in the DeKalb community

• the documented experience of the artist in completing similar projects

Designs must be the artist’s own work and must not violate any copyright restrictions. Designs should not include inappropriate words, adult images, advertisements, political messages, or religious themes.

Submission Process

All components of the proposal must be submitted in digital format via the online submission form linked here. 

There is no submission fee. Artists may submit more than one proposed design concept. No more than three submissions per individual or group.

All correspondence and contracts are part of the public record. By submitting materials, you are (1) consenting to the release of those materials by the City in response to requests under the Public Records Act and (2) agreeing to indemnify and hold harmless the City for release of such information.

Selection Process

The CCEC and City staff will review applications for completeness and eligibility. The CCEC will recommend an artist for NEA grant application. Following notification of recommended funding from NEA, The City Council will determine final project award and contract terms, and will give final approval to the design. The City reserves the right to reject any and all submissions.

Project Logistics

The mural will be created on the east wall of the building on the northwest corner of East Lincoln Highway and Seventh Street. The dimensions of the wall are approximately 30 ft. tall x 55 ft. long. The wall is at the eastern entrance to downtown DeKalb and can be seen clearly from Lincoln Highway. The artist may use some or all of the eastern wall. The mural must be at least large enough to cover the silhouette of the previous mural (darker red color in photo, approximately 10 ft. tall x 16 ft. wide).

Timeline

Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (CST) on May 12, 2025

CCEC recommends art for NEA application: May 19, 2025

City submits NEA grant application: Beginning July 10, 2025

Notification from NEA of recommended funding or rejection: Early to mid April 2026, followed by finalization of artist agreement and design.

Earliest project start date: June 1, 2026

Project completed: By October 1, 2026

The mural should be installed to withstand weather and other site conditions for a term to be agreed upon by the selected artist and the City in the mural agreement. The mural is subject to removal by the City at any time during or after the agreed upon period. Should the project experience delays due to inclement weather or artist illness, the project completion deadline may be extended upon consultation with City officials and CCEC.

Budget

$20,000-$40,000. A line-item budget should be included with the online artist application. Budget should cover all costs including supplies, travel and artist stipend.

Policies

The following requirements apply to all approved applications:

• The applicant must have liability insurance for the duration of the mural project and provide a Certificate of Insurance at the time a contract is issued that lists the City of DeKalb and its officers, agents, and employees as additional insured.

• The City issues a contract outlining the terms of the mural project and the payment schedule. Once the City receives the signed agreement, processing of payments begins. The awarded amount of funding is typically divided into two or three payments. The final payment is made following receipt of the final report and documentation.

• Artist(s) is responsible for cost overruns of mural project.

• Applicant notifies the City of completion of mural.

• Applicant submits a final report within 45 days of completion of the mural summarizing the completed project and detailing the use of funds. Copies of invoices, receipts, and checks are required documentation for the final report. Any refundable deposit is refunded back to the applicant upon completion of all requirements.

Project Contact

Scott Zak City of DeKalb (IL) Communications & Community Engagement Manager Citizens Community Enhancement Commission Liaison

(815) 748-2396

scott.zak@cityofdekalb.com