Request for Proposal: Mainspring Donor Wall Mural or Installation

Mission

Mainspring is seeking a talented and community-oriented artist to create a donor recognition wall on the second floor of our new Mainspring facility. This piece will honor our donors and our community, and reflect our commitment to caring for all individuals. We envision this as an evolving piece, with the potential for updates as new donors and contributors are recognized. We invite proposals for a creative installation piece that captures the essence of our mission and celebrates the mission of Mainspring and the creation of this essential resource for and by our community.

Mainspring’s mission is to build a stronger community by providing all citizens with the resources to thrive.

Project Goals

1. Donor Recognition: Showcase and honor the contributions of our donors, contributors, and partners.

2. Flexibility & Maintenance: Ensure the mural or installation can be maintained and updated to include future donors or contributors.

About Mainspring

Mainspring: The Seacoast Social Services Collective is a collaboration between two well-established nonprofits. It is a partnership that is geographically collaborative and unites several nonprofits in a shared mission to enhance our community and streamline our services. Fair Tide (housing) and Footprints (food security) have teamed up to systematically change how we care for our community and work together to do so. This newly developed community resource hub will allow several nonprofit agencies to work together under one roof, with centralized intake, comprehensive care, case management, and shared success metrics and data.  

As nonprofits, we aim to learn from one another and reduce poverty throughout the Seacoast region. We want to build a healthier and more resilient Seacoast while sharing in each other’s missions with the larger mission of reducing the impacts of poverty, together. 
 

Mural/Installation Location and Specifications

Location: The mural or installation will be located at our Mainspring campus, 22 Shapleigh Road, Kittery, Maine. Specifically, the artwork will be placed on the white plaster wall at the entrance of our intake office, creating a welcoming and impactful visual for all who visit our space.
Wall Material: White plaster.
Dimensions: White wall - 98” x 87” | Blue wall - 128” x 87”

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to any established or emerging artist working in all mediums. While Mainspring would prefer an artist or creator residing in the Greater Seacoast area, including Southern Maine and Southern New Hampshire, all eligible artists are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be 18 years or older and eligible to work in the United States.

Proposal Requirements

Interested artists are required to submit the following materials:

1. Contact Information: Full name, address, telephone number, and email address.

2. Resume or CV: Include relevant experience and achievements.

3. Artistic Vision: A brief narrative outlining your vision for the mural or installation, including:

   • Themes, materials, and design concepts.

   • How community aspects will be integrated.

   • Estimated timeline

4. Sketches/Design Concepts: Provide sketches or digital renderings illustrating your proposed design.

5. Estimated Timeline: Outline the time required to complete the project, from preparation to installation.

6. Estimated Budget: Include an itemized budget detailing:

   • Time and labor costs (if not in-kind).

   • Material costs.

   • Any other expenses.

7. Portfolio: Provide examples of past work (PDF or link to an online portfolio).

8. References: Provide 2-3 professional references who can speak to your artistic capabilities and reliability.

Budget

As a community-driven initiative, we are seeking artists and organizations willing to donate their time, materials, or services to bring this project to life. While we recognize that creating a mural or installation involves costs, our goal is to make this a collaborative effort through in-kind contributions.

In return, this piece will be prominently showcased to our community, serving as a lasting testament to both Mainspring’s mission and the artist’s vision and work. This is an opportunity for artists to gain visibility and recognition while contributing to a meaningful project that will inspire and engage the public.

Please include in your proposal any details on how you envision collaborating on this effort, including the support you may need to complete the project

Submission Instructions

To apply, please submit a cover letter highlighting your interest and experience with your proposal to pete@mainspringcollective.org by May 1st, 2025.

Application Deadline

May 1st, 2025 

Selection Process 

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:

• Artistic vision Demonstrated experience and quality of previous work.

• Feasibility of the proposed timeline and budget.

We look forward to reviewing your proposals and working together to celebrate the generosity and spirit of Mainspring and our community through this meaningful project.