The Rock Island Downtown Alliance and Quad City Arts are in search of two artists or teams of artists to design and install two murals in downtown Rock Island.
The mural spaces will make up more than 4,000 square feet. They will include two separate concrete walls. One will face east and one west in Arts Alley, according to a news release on the Downtown Alliance’s website. Arts Alley is the pedestrian area at 1719 Second Avenue next to Quad City Arts.
“It’s hard to convey in digital renderings the impact these large-scale murals will have on both the downtown streetscape and the downtown economy as well,” Jack Cullen, Rock Island Downtown Alliance executive director, said in the release.
“We believe these improvements, paired with plans to program Arts Alley, will bring more foot traffic downtown, and we are thrilled to take this next step with Quad City Arts and the City of Rock Island,” he added.
Interested — and qualified — artists are asked to complete a request for qualifications here by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Finalists will be selected based on qualifications, the release states, and invited to submit designs.
Committee will make pick
The Downtown Alliance and Quad City Arts will collaborate with the building owners in Arts Alley as well as the City of Rock Island’s Arts & Beautification Commission to review requests and seek public input as part of the selection process.
“Nationally, cultural tourism is on the rise,” Kevin Maynard, Quad City Arts’ executive director, said in the release. “We are happy to help organizations in the Quad Cities bring more art to our community. This project is extra special because it is literally right outside our door. We are excited to focus on creative placemaking with the Rock Island Downtown Alliance and the City of Rock Island.”
The renovation of Arts Alley is a major component of the larger Rebuild Downtown Rock Island Project. Work is planned to begin this spring.
Other planned improvements to area include: a decorative walkway, lighting and signage; space for social gatherings and performances; weatherproof vendor stalls for seasonal pop-up shop programs and additional art installations.
The total budget for Arts Alley improvements is just over $534,000, according to the release. Half of the costs are being funded by a $267,000 State of Illinois Tourism Attractions grant.
The remaining costs will be primarily funded by the city through a combination of Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
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