Start Registration
Custom Application

Muralist Application

av_timer
Deadline: Dec 01, 2025 11:59 pm (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
widgets
KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival
date_range
Date: May 30, 2026 12:00 pm - May 30, 2026 8:00 pm (EST)
place
Emory Place, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917, United States
attach_money
Free

About the event

Get ready for a day bursting with color, creativity, and community as Dogwood Arts transforms Emory Place into an open-air art and music experience. Ten talented muralists will go head-to-head in a live painting competition, creating murals in real time while festival-goers watch the art unfold, enjoy performances by local & regional musicians, and explore the vibrant personalities of the businesses in and around Emory Place. Once the murals are complete, the public will have the opportunity to vote online to determine the 1st and 2nd place winners, who will each be awarded permanent mural commissions at sites around Knoxville. The completed 8’x8’ murals will then be sold through an online auction, with proceeds shared between the artists and Dogwood Arts’ Mural Program, helping fund even more public art across the city. Festival Highlights Include: Art in Action: 10 muralists painting live in the streets Live Music: Local and regional artists performing throughout the day Kids’ Hands-On Mural Experience: Interactive art zone for young creators Food Trucks + Local Vendors: A taste of Knoxville’s best flavors Mural Wall Auction: Bid on original art and support local artists Public Vote: Two winning muralists earn permanent commissions in Knoxville A Bold Next Chapter for Public Art in Knoxville Knoxwalls Murals & Music Festival expands on the momentum of Dogwood Arts’ Mural Program, which has commissioned more than 60 murals across East Tennessee since 2019, transforming public spaces and investing directly in regional artists.
Dogwood Arts
Dogwood Arts
Contact Organizer
Dogwood Arts
Dogwood Arts
Contact Organizer

About the application

Dogwood Arts is thrilled to announce the inaugural KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival, taking place on May 30, 2026, in Knoxville, TN. This event offers ten muralists the opportunity to create side by side in a supportive, collaborative environment—sharing their talents and most importantly, having fun.

 

While traditional RFPs often take place behind the scenes and feel competitive, this festival invites the public to engage directly in the process, offering the community a voice in shaping the art that defines Knoxville. During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite mural. The two winning artists will be commissioned to paint permanent Prize Walls (1st Place: $12,000 and 2nd Place: $7,000) within one year. The two Prize Wall muralists will be announced during the festival on Saturday, May 30th.

Terms & Conditions

  • For the inaugural 2026 event, Dogwood Arts will select and celebrate artists based in our home state of Tennessee. We look forward to including artists from across the country in future years!
  • Each participating artist will receive a $750 stipend for their work and to help cover the cost of supplies.
  • Dogwood Arts will provide hotel accommodations for selected artists traveling over 50 miles.
    Each artist will be required to complete one 8'x8' mural on a primed, freestanding wall. If needed, artists will be able to get started the afternoon of Friday, May 29th, and before the event opens at noon on Saturday. Please note that the majority of work should occur during event hours (noon until 8pm on May 30th).
  • During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite mural. The two winning artists will be commissioned to paint permanent Prize Walls (1st Place: $12,000 and 2nd Place: $7,000) within one year. Prize Wall winners will be announced during the event on May 30th.
  • Each mural completed during the event will be part of an online auction. Each artist can set their starting bid and will receive 70% of the sale commission. Artists may decide what to do with artwork that is not sold in the auction.

Questions on the application

User information

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Email
  • Gender
  • Birthday
  • Address

Additional information

  • Website
  • Artist Statement
  • Concept Proposal
  • Social Media Handles/Links
  • If helpful, you may submit a sketch to illustrate your concept. This is not required. If your proposal is selected, you will be asked to submit concept sketches for approval prior to beginning your work.
  • If selected, will you require lodging during your time in Knoxville?
  • Submit images of previous mural projects (minimum 3, maximum 6)
  • Please include references and contact information for at least three of the mural projects included in your image uploads.
  • Is there anything else you would like us to know as it relates to this application?
Muralist Application
Muralist Application
KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival
Start Application