02/03/2026
Calling All Artists: Salem Arts Festival Mural Slam 2026
February 2, 2026
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The City of Salem's Public Art Commission and the Salem Arts Festival are joining forces to host the 10th annual Salem Arts Festival Mural Slam (SAF Mural Slam), a dynamic live painting event that engages the public with creative producers and enhances the cultural vitality of downtown Salem. Salem Arts Festival is a project of Salem Main Streets and Creative Collective.
This year's Mural Slam is part of the 18th annual Salem Arts Festival's special "Salem 400+" edition, celebrating four centuries of Salem's creative heritage.
The event will take place at Artists' Row, a historic marketplace turned vibrant arts hub located at 24 New Derby Street. This initiative aims to bring world-class, inspiring artwork to downtown Salem, enriching the local community and further establishing the area as a celebrated destination for public art and creativity.
Twelve selected artists will have the chance to showcase their talents alongside the skilled artisans of Artists' Row, benefiting from exposure to Salem's million+ annual tourists, while also contributing to the overall vibrancy of this unique arts nexus.
Deadline for Applications: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:59pm
Notification of Selection: Late April 2026
Salem Arts Festival Mural Slam: June 6 & 7, 2026
Apply Now through our online portal here: https://www.salemartsfestival.com/saf-2026-mural-slam
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Details and Info
Who can Apply?: Anyone may apply, either solo or in small teams. Students are also encouraged to apply. Artists may come from anywhere, but preference will be given to local artists and to artists who have not participated in previous Mural Slams.
Timeframe: Live, on-site painting will take place Saturday, June 6 & Sunday, June 7, 8:30am – 8:30pm. It is anticipated that artists will complete the mural in this timeframe. Depending on weather and time needs, artists may begin work on Friday, June 5th.
Stipend and Awards: Each artist will receive a $600 stipend for their participation. Artists will also be eligible to compete for a $500 People's Choice Award prize. Stipends will be paid within two weeks after the SAF Mural Slam.
Painting Surface: There are twelve (12) available wall slots for the 2026 Salem Mural Slam. Each slot will be hung with a white primed ½ inch marine grade plywood sheet mounted to the existing brick walls. The format will be 8' wide by 4' tall. Murals must be oriented in horizontal configuration.
Materials/Supplies: Acrylic paints will be the only medium permitted for use during the SAF Mural Slam due to the close proximity to other artists and local businesses during the event, along with practical considerations for drying time. We may consider alternative media, but they must be stated and approved ahead of time. Please reach out directly if you are considering an alternative to acrylic. All paints, supplemental materials, brushes, and tools must be provided by the artist.
Finished Murals: Murals will be displayed at the Artists' Row location for up to a year. After the display period, artists may reclaim their mural or donate it to the City of Salem. All artists must sign a contract with the City of Salem before starting work on their mural.
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Submission Requirements & Review Criteria
Artists will be asked to submit:
• Brief biographical statement
• CV or Artist Resume
• 3-5 relevant examples of past work
• A title for the proposed mural (titles may be changed up until two weeks before the event)
• A brief descriptive statement about the proposed mural idea
• A rough sketch or mockup of the mural idea preferred but NOT required
We highly encourage designs inspired by the "Salem 400+" theme. Salem 400+ marks over four centuries since Salem's founding, honoring the city's rich and complex history — from its maritime heritage and literary legacy to its diverse communities and thriving arts scene. The "+" represents both the years beyond 400 and the forward-looking spirit of Salem's creative future. Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme broadly, whether reflecting on Salem's past, celebrating its present, or envisioning what's to come.
Submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria:
• High Artistic Merit
• Originality and Composition of the Work
• Suitability for a Family-Friendly Environment
• Fit within the overall theme of other selected works
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Artwork Restrictions
All artwork must be suitable for a family-friendly environment. Artworks/applications will be considered ineligible if they involve any of the following:
• Nudity or anything overtly Halloween-themed
• Breach of intellectual property rights (i.e., somebody else's ideas or imagery)
• Trademarks, brand or business names, logos, or copyrighted images
• Anything that is harmful to a third party
• Submitted after the deadline
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Rules of Award
Submissions will be reviewed by a Review Committee consisting of members of the Public Art Commission, Salem Main Streets, Creative Collective, and City of Salem staff. Recommendations from this Committee will be presented to the full Public Art Commission body in their April meeting for final approval. Artists will be notified of results via email by late April 2026. Selected artists will be required to sign a contract with the City of Salem and provide a fully fleshed out mural design drawing for final approval prior to mural ex*****on.
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About the Salem Public Art Commission
The Salem Public Art Commission (PAC) is committed to enriching and enlivening the urban environment through innovative and transformative works of art in all media and modalities. With a focus on local artists, especially those historically underrepresented, and a global perspective of the art scene, PAC seeks to foster greater community awareness of and interaction with the arts, enhance the scope of Salem's public art collection, and celebrate diversity in all its forms among citizens and visitors of Salem alike. The PAC feels Public Art in Salem should contribute to the community's identity as the cultural hub of the North Shore and a center for creativity and enhance the quality of Salem's built environment. Our goal is to nurture diversity & creativity; foster a sense of community pride & belonging; and enhance the quality of life for all.
Learn more at https://www.salemma.gov/arts-culture
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Julie Barry (She/Her)
Senior Planner, Arts & Culture
Staff liaison to the Salem Public Art Commission & Salem Cultural Council
City of Salem | Department of Planning & Community Development
98 Washington St., 2nd Floor | Salem, MA 01970
978-619-5685 ext. 42506 | [email protected]
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The land we recognize today as Salem is Naumkeag, or fishing place, where generations of Indigenous people lived and passed through for centuries. (Read the City of Salem's Indigenous Land Acknowledgment here).
