One WALL MOVEMENT - Centering artists VOICES & TALENTS to make a more meaningful and free SPACE.

Recognizing the importance of art and design and their contributions to public spaces, ONE WALL MOVEMENT centers the voices of often marginalized and underrepresented artists by supporting them to produce large-scale public murals.  

PART STREET ART PROJECT. PART RESIDENCY. PART CREATIVE PLACEMAKING.

ONE WALL MOVEMENT is a large-scale mural initiative that centers the voices and talents of muralists, writers, and street artists who self-identify as BIPOC, PGM, women, femmes, trans, nonbinary, and/or gender non-conforming. Taking inspiration from Nas’ hit “One Mic,” ONE WALL MOVEMENT was developed to provide public visual artists with a canvas to work freely and create an organic reflection of their lived experiences rather than set restrictions on their subject matter. Artists may apply year-round, with submissions reviewed once a year by a selection committee of stakeholders.

One Wall Movement will:

  • Empower and amplify the narratives of marginalized and/or historically underrepresented muralists, writers, and street artists; 

  • Solicit community input in the artist selection process

  • Cultivate and support emerging and established artists by providing an opportunity for development and building a professional artistic pipeline to larger institutions; and 

  • Empower artists to freely and organically reflect their lived experiences through visual storytelling

  • Pay artists a living wage

  • Engage New York City communities through public art. 

One Wall Movement will not:

  • Restrict the subject matter to “social issues,” an expectation historically placed on marginalized artists but not their white counterparts

  • Ask artists to relinquish artistic control to our partners 

Working closely Lead Curator Ayana Ayo, the initiative is artist-led and designed to support the artist’s vision, project, and career trajectory. For each production, we will collaborate with the artist to create accessible interactive programs that will engage local community members in conversation and site-specific activations unique to themes in the artist’s work.

This process allows for work that is both inherently socially relevant and creatively strong. By centering artists from these communities, we contribute to making New York City a more creatively liberated place.  

 ONE WALL MOVEMENT submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. If you have already submitted prior to this call, there is no need to resubmit again, your application will be received and considered for the call.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Emerging and established muralists, graffiti artists, writers, and street artists,

  • Artists that self-identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), People of the Global Majority (PGM), women, femmes, transgender, nonbinary, and/or gender non-conforming 

  • Demonstrated ability and technical knowledge required to execute a large-scale artwork 

  • Prior experience: work samples that demonstrate prior experience with leading or assisting with murals or other large-scale works must have painted or assisted with murals or other artwork at a significant scale

  • Priority will be given to artists based in New York City and/or the Tri-State area. However, national and international artists are invited to apply. 

  • Teams and Individuals are welcome to apply.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

ONE WALL MOVEMENT submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.

FOR OUR ALLIES
To those artists and Persons who do not self-identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), People of the Global Majority (PGM), women, femmes, transgender, nonbinary, and/or gender non-conforming: 

SUPPORT ONE WALL MOVEMENT

  • Spread the news about our Open Call and reshare our posts with peers, friends, and family. #onewallmovement

  • Encourage others to learn more about, engage with, and support local public artists.

  • Volunteer!

  • Donate to ONE WALL MOVEMENT and encourage peers, friends, and family to do the same.

  • Show up and support our muralists during their installation days. The joy of creative expression and community connection is central to our mission. Friendly faces, words of encouragement, and laughter are always welcome!