Call for Artists: Biola University Public Mural - Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

About the Open Call

ABOUT BIOLA UNIVERSITY:As a leader in academic quality and innovation, Biola University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top Christian universities, known for leading degree programs in the arts, business, film, the sciences, theology and more. Biola’s eight schools offer more than 300 academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, enrolling over 5000 students at the La Mirada campus, online and in distance learning programs throughout the world. Located in Los Angeles County, Biola’s 95-acre campus is in the heart of Southern California, one of the great global hubs of arts, and one of the largest and most diverse urban areas in the United States.COMMISSIONED ARTWORK THEMES & CONTEXT:Biola University is searching for an artist or artist team to complete a new large-scale public mural on its La Mirada campus. Although the exact location and scale will be determined by the artist in consultation with the Biola Art Selection Committee, the artist should be prepared to create an outdoor mural that is at least 10 feet by 20 feet in scale. Thematically, the mural should be focused on depicting the diversity of God’s Kingdom and should be consistent with Biola’s Statement of Unity Amidst Diversity, which can be found here: https://www.biola.edu/about/diversity.Artists may choose to use biblical passages or themes as inspiration (such as the Great Commission, Revelation, gospel stories, parables, etc.). In determining the placement of the mural, the artist should also consider Biola’s current public art so that the mural is in dialogue with these other pieces. Further campus features that may be considered for inspiration or response include:Biola’s Calvary Chapel: https://www.biola.edu/calvary-chapelBardwell Hall, home of Biola’s Department of ArtBiola’s Galleries and Exhibitions Spaces: https://www.biola.edu/exhibitionsSTYLISTIC SPECIFICATIONS:The mural should include representational figuration of some kind, though artists are welcome to work within any representational styles or traditions. The figuration should be culturally-diverse.Christian iconography may be used, but is not required. Some degree of abstraction is welcome, but the work should be recognizably representational to a public audience.TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:Though no specific type of materials are required in creating the mural, the proposal must provide assurance that the artwork will be durable and routine maintenance requirements will be minimal. The materials used should be able to withstand continuous sun exposure and intermittent rain without noticeable deterioration for at least 10 years. Surplus materials (2%) must also be provided for future maintenance needs. Any structural or engineering plans and specifications must be completed by the artist or artist team, in coordination with Biola University and any necessary approved sub-contractors, and subject to any required approval or permit by local zoning or building authorities.SEMI-FINALIST SELECTION:The Artist Selection Committee will review the submissions and select three semi-finalist artists or artists teams to tour the site and develop concept proposals. Semi-finalist artists will be selected based on the following criteria:Background work reflects artistic merit, technical skill, authenticity, originality, commitment to material(s)/media and artistic practice, and evokes response or inquiry.Appropriateness of the artist’s medium and style in relation to the project goals and setting.The Statement of Interest is connected to the artwork themes and goals outlined for the public art project.Information from references (3) who have worked with the artist and have detailed knowledge of the artist’s work and qualifications.Compatibility with the mission of Biola University and the Artwork Themes & Context as listed above.Experience with projects of a similar scale and scope including familiarity with the public art process, the public review approval process, and/or collaboration with schools, design agencies, public facilities, and art selection juries.FINALIST SELECTION —CONCEPT PROPOSAL PRESENTATION:Each semi-finalist artist or artist team individually will present the concept proposal to the Artist Selection Committee. The semi-finalist artists or artist teams preparing concept proposals shall retain intellectual property rights to the artwork concepts commissioned for Biola University. Biola can retain all proposal materials presented, but without license to publish. The semi-finalist artists or artist teams’ proposed artwork submissions must be original and unique to Biola. No editions or replicas of pre-existing work may be submitted.

What is Offered

Each of three semi-finalists will receive $2,000 USD to develop and submit an Artwork Proposal. The chosen artist or team will receive a $20,000 USD award to complete the commissioned artwork. This budget covers all associated costs including design, fabrication, travel, accommodations, transportation, installation, photographic documentation, catalog documentation, and an identifying plaque.

Requirements

Applicants must be 18 years or older and U.S. citizens or permanent residents. If applying as an artist team, all members must meet these criteria. Applicants must also be willing to affirm Biola's Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles, Biola's Mission Statement, and agree to abide by its Standards of Conduct, Non-Discrimination Policy, and Sexual Misconduct Policy while performing any work on Biola’s campus or in the course of performing services related to the Mural.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit digitally via Callforentry.org by December 1, 2025. Required materials include contact information for the artist or team, a statement of interest explaining suitability for the project and response to themes, artist resume/CV (combined into a single PDF for teams), a one-page Christian Testimony aligning with Biola’s theological positions, and 5-20 JPEG images of existing artworks. No artwork proposals are submitted at this initial phase.