Introduction

The Shared Legacy of Care Mural Project is an initiative led by Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center in partnership with the City of Perth Amboy and the Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corp., supported by and Arts Council, to bring new public art of high artistic quality and enduring value to the hospital community. The primary purpose of this project aligns with Mayor Helmin J. Caba’s mural initiatives to beautify Perth Amboy; to revitalize the arts and cultural identity while encouraging economic development through the creation of inspired spaces that make Perth Amboy an exciting area for residents and visitors to shop, dine, work, live, and connect. 

Project Description

Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center is seeking a creative, vibrant, and engaging design proposal for an outdoor mural on the hospital's glass walls facing New Brunswick Avenue. The building’s side façade faces New Brunswick Avenue which has a high level of visibility, and pedestrian and commuter traffic. To create a more inviting and vivacious area, the hospital with the support of the City is commissioning an original mural inspired by “THE SHARED LEGACY OF CARE”.  

For over 100 years, residents of Perth Amboy have been dedicated to caring for their community at Raritan Bay Medical Center. Many of our hospital staff come from multi-generational families who both live and work in Perth Amboy, serving their neighbors through some of life's most challenging and joyful moments. Their commitment and compassion are essential to providing hope and empathy to our community.  We are inviting local artists to create a mural that celebrates this enduring spirit of care and hope. The mural’s theme, “Shared Legacy of Care,” should reflect the deep connections between our hospital workers and the community they serve. Once a final artist and mural design is selected, Raritan Bay team members will be invited to participate in painting a portion of the mural under the lead artist's guidance, creating a collaborative piece that represents our shared legacy of care.  

Project Location:  530 New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ.  There are two glass walls measuring approximately as follows:   

Artists are welcome to submit a proposal on their own or as a group. The selected artist will be contracted to paint a mural on the exterior glass wall and lead a group of staff members in assisting with the painting. The mural must be original and unique to the site. The mural must be two-dimensional with no protrusions from the wall surface. The mural may be a single overall image or multiple images that create an overall composition. Proposed designs will be reviewed by a committee (Hospital and City staff and the Arts Council), the finalist will be submitted to the Perth Amboy Arts Council and Perth Amboy City Council for approval in accordance with the mural approval process as outlined in Perth Amboy Mural Ordinance #1741-2014.

 

Project Timeline & Important Deadlines

Call to Artist		October 25, 2024
Deadline to Submit Proposal		November 11, 2024 by 4:00 p.m.
Artist Selected		November 13, 2024
Arts Council Meeting & Approval		September 15, 2024
City Council Approval		November 25, 2024
Proposed Project Start Date		December 2, 2024
Potential Project Completion		Pending Artist Timeline
Mural Unveiling		TBD

Selection Process

All eligible applications will be screened by a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will consider all approaches to the project, including traditional and street art painted designs. Mural content should not contain political or religious themes. If artists are applying as a Team, the Team should be listed on the application form, specifying a Team leader to receive notifications. One artist or team will be selected pending Perth Amboy Arts Council and City Council permit approval by resolution—to be approved before starting the project.

 

Selection criteria will include:  

· Aesthetic Excellence – the aesthetic quality of the artwork upholds the principles of art and design excellence, originality, and innovation.  

· Artist Experience – Experience in creating public art of similar scope and scale.  

· Relevance/Theme – The design must be appropriate for the site, and contextually relevant to the community. The application may include a written description describing the relevance of the theme or clarifying thematic references. The design must be clear and legible when enlarged to the final scale dimensions of the site location as well as translatable to the final media.  

· Budget – A clear, line-item budget and a suggested commission appropriate to the scale of the project and commensurate with the experience of the artist will strengthen an application. Please include your rate per square footage.

Artist Eligibility 

•  Artist (s) must be 18 years or older to apply. 
•  This call is open to all artists who legally reside and are eligible to work in the United States. Proof of residency/work permit documentation may be requested. 
•  Artists must sign an agreement with Raritan Bay Medical Center to participate.
• The artist must agree to allow hospital staff to assist in the mural painting process under their lead. 
•  Selected artists are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in events engaging the public in the project. 

How to Apply

All artists must submit application requirements via email to oecd@perthamboynj.org.  Application requirements can be found form online using the following link: www.perthamboynj.org/community/mural_project.  
Applications must be submitted by the deadline to be considered. Applications should be submitted as a PDF document formatted to letter size paper. 
 
Application Requirements 

1. Application Cover Sheet – must include project name, artist name and contact information, and date of submission.  

2. Letter of Interest – Short narrative expressing your creative approach, relevant comments on the visual material you are proposing, and your interest. Can include an artist’s statement.  

3. Proposed Design Mock-Up - The design must be clear and legible when enlarged to the final scale dimensions of the site location as well as translatable to the final media.  

4. CV of relevant experience as a professional artist, with up to 3 professional references that can be contacted.  

5. Images – Provide up to 3 images of previous relevant work, with an annotated list detailing the work Title, location, and date completed.  

6. Project Maintenance – Detail how the project will be maintained i.e. touch-ups or protective coat etc.  

7. Budget – A line item proposed budget including supplies, materials cost, and commission rate ($/sq. ft). Proposals with competitive and realistic budgets will be given priority. 

Click here for project guidelines.
Click here for a copy of the flyer to share.