Philadelphia 250 Public Art Opportunity

The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future.

America250PA is now accepting proposal submissions from Pennsylvania artists for the Bells Across PA art series to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States in 2026. The selected artists will execute their designs on three-feet tall fiberglass bell sculptures. These bells will be adorned and magically transformed by local artists and sponsored by businesses or individuals as part of America250PA's efforts to celebrate the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

As part of this project, Philadelphia 250 is partnering with Mural Arts Philadelphia to place 20 bells throughout the city of Philadelphia. The bells will serve as public art pieces that visually represent community voices across 20 neighborhoods. Artists will be commissioned to work with local partners to develop designs for the bell sculptures and execute those designs at a city-provided production space at the Navy Yard in fall of 2025. 

Eligibility

Open to all Philadelphia county residents. Please note that each commissioned bell will receive one honorarium regardless of group size.
 

Artist Scope of Work

Selected artists are expected to provide the following:

1. Community Engagement

Artists will work alongside members of the community to develop their designs and ensure they reflect the neighbors’ vision. Selected artists should expect to attend two community engagement sessions and incorporate community feedback in the design, as well as attend the final community ribbon cutting ceremony.

• First meeting: Introduction to community and gathering of design ideas
• Second meeting: Presentation of mockup and final round of feedback from community
• Celebration: Artists will also attend the unveiling event on January 16, 2026.

Design

Selected artists will develop a design based on community input and should consider that the audience for this project will be broad-based and of all ages. Design should be developed specifically for the surface bell sculpture. Designs should be primarily 2-dimensional (e.g., painting, collage); sculptural or mosaic designs will not be accepted. 

• Participation in community and stakeholder engagement activities, including meetings with Mural Arts, project partners and community leaders (see Community Engagement below) to inform the design direction
• Presentation of design rendering to the community for feedback
• Incorporate one round of feedback into the final design presentation

Philadelphia 250, Mural Arts and community stakeholders may reject any design that they deem inappropriate for this public context, including but not limited to work that is religious, sexual or politically inflammatory in nature.

Production

Mural Arts will provide access to primer, acrylic mural paint, and a weather-resistant topcoat at a production space at the Navy Yard. Other materials, e.g., spray paint, stickers, digital prints, collage materials, should be provided by the artist. All material choices must be approved by Mural Arts.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the temporary nature of this installation, all bells will become the physical property of America250PA upon completion and installation. Selected artists must sign the "Copyright Assignment" here. By signing, dating, and returning the original Copyright Assignment with your design, you are indicating your understanding that you are assigning the entire right, title, and interest to your design to America250PA. Please remember to keep a copy of these forms for your records. Artists will retain the rights to promote images of the artwork through their personal newsletters, social media, websites and other platforms. 

Mural Arts/Philadelphia 250 Role

Mural Arts and/or Philadelphia 250 will provide the following support to the selected artists: 

• Organization of stakeholder meetings and support community engagement process
• Assistance with design development
• Optional production space and basic materials (primer, acrylic paint, brushes and protective sealant). 
• Preparation of Bells for painting and final installation (sanding, priming and topcoat)
• Coordination of marketing and documentation of final project
• Securance of site permissions and coordination of installation of the Bells

Selection Process  

Round One
Artist qualifications/portfolios will be solicited by Mural Arts Philadelphia on behalf of Philadelphia 250. The RFQ will be due on July 11, 2025. Mural Arts and a stakeholder committee will review the artist submissions and identify a short list of finalists.

Round Two
Mural Arts and the stakeholder committee will select the artist that will be awarded the final commissions. The decision will be based on a review of artist application materials, including the project proposal. Mural Arts and the stakeholder committee are not required to make a selection from the submissions it receives if, in their judgment, the relevance, quality or the qualifications of the artists are not appropriate. 

Notification 

Selected artists will be notified in August, 2025.