Live Mural Exhibition – NEW 2026
Applications now OPEN
Applications for the newest addition to the Arts Festival are now open!
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the arts is pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a Live Mural Exhibition commemorating the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
Dreaming American Futures is a celebrational juried LIVE PRODUCTION Mural Exhibition slated to take place during the 5-day Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts July 8– 12, 2026.
The call is open to both experienced and novice (mural) artists across the country with preference given to Pennsylvania based artists.
Designs should be based on the overarching theme of Dreaming American Futures and the following, closing excerpt from the poem The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman.
When day comes, we step out of the shade
aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
The poem, in its entirety, can be read here: https://einhorncollaborative.org/the-hill-we-climb/
The mural size will be 5 feet high by 8 feet in length, with a landscape orientation. Submitted designs must be to scale and fully executed in concept, design, and color. Once selected, the executed mural must remain consistent with the submitted and approved design. Any variation must be approved by Festival staff in advance. Submissions must include an artist statement (not more than 250 words) explaining how the work relates to the theme of the exhibition.
Support for this exhibition is provided in part by The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in collaboration with the Downtown State College America250 Committee.
Applicants may submit up to three different mural designs for consideration (one image each).
Applications will be due Friday, April 17, 2026. There is no entry fee. Apply via Google form: https://forms.gle/7RjHmVW9YRD8jYvd7
Accepted artists will be notified by Friday, May 15, 2026. A travel stipend of $500 will be provided to each artist. Hotel accommodation will be provided for a maximum of 5 nights from Tuesday, July 7th, through Sunday, July 12th.
Additionally, Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
America250 Committee Award – $2,000
Sponsor’s Choice – $1,500
People’s Choice – $1,000
Artists may only receive one of the above awards. Artists not selected as an award winner will receive an additional $500 compensation.
Completed murals will become the sole property of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and the use or duplication of design is at the discretion of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Mural designs will be properly credited upon further use or replication. Award-winning murals may be installed in more permanent settings throughout Centre County to further enhance the visitor experience.
Artists will be supplied with a covered, free-standing mural wall prepared with primed mural cloth (polytab). Artists are expected to provide their own supplies for execution of the mural including paints, brushes, and any other relevant supplies. Artists are expected to be on hand and executing the mural live throughout the active festival hours, taking breaks as necessary. Artists must complete their mural no later than Sunday, July 12th at 12:00noon. Artists may work beyond active festival hours in the interest of completing the mural before the Sunday deadline.
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts operates daily on the following schedule:
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 – 10:00am through 2:00pm
Thursday, July 9, 2026 – 10:00am through 7:00pm
Friday, July 10, 2026 – 10:00am through 7:00pm
Saturday, July 11, 2026 – 10:00am through 7:00pm
Sunday, July 12, 2026 – 11:00am through 4:00pm (Murals must be completed by 12:00pm)