The Tahoe Fund and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) have partnered to provide an innovative, community-driven restroom mural painting project, and we need your help to make it happen!
We are seeking community-based artists to beautify the interior of highly visited LTBMU restroom facilities with painted murals, helping to diminish vandalism and encourage people to take better care of Tahoe.
Inspired by a similar project by the Bureau of Land Management in Henry’s Lake, Idaho, the murals will transform the interiors of these facilities and bring them alive with depictions of Tahoe’s plants, animals, and beautiful landscape.
Please review this full page for information about eligibility, artist criteria and goals, information about the bathrooms, how to submit a proposal, and more.
Artist(s) Eligibility
- This call is an invite for artist(s) in the California and Nevada area.
- Artist teams are eligible for the project.
- Local artist(s) and community groups are highly sought-after for this project.
This Invite to Artist(s) is an Equal Artistic Opportunity: selection of the winning proposal will be made without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity/paternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.
Art Criteria & Goals
The art should create a transformative experience for users, establish a “sense of place” within the Tahoe region and inspire action to take care of Tahoe. Creative depictions could include:
- Recreation activities
- Nature landscapes
- Local flora and fauna
- Cultural and historical importance to Lake Tahoe
- Inspirational messages aligned with Take Care Tahoe
Restroom Information
North Lake Tahoe: Stateline Lookout
The Stateline Fire Lookout Trail in Crystal Bay offers beautiful panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Named for its location – straddling the Nevada-California line – this trail has benches for hikers to rest and enjoy the scenery and interpretive panels that tell the history of the lake.
This bathroom has two single-user, accessible bathrooms. The interior walls each measure 7.1’ long x 9.9’ high.
Both single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.
East Shore: Logan Shoals Vista Point
The Logan Shoals Vista Point on Tahoe’s East Shore is an incredibly popular spot for scenic views of the lake. Located right off Highway 50, Logan Shoals has a short, paved path to a rock outcropping with panoramic vistas.
This bathroom has two single-user, accessible bathrooms with pit toilets. The wall dimensions are 5’11” long x 8′ high.
Both single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.
South Shore: Tallac Historic Site
The Tallac Historic Site is the former site of the 100-year-old Tallac Resort. Now, the site is home to the Baldwin Estate, the Pope Estate, and the Valhalla Estate. There are many walking paths available, as well as tours, exhibits, and a museum.
This bathroom has six single-user, accessible bathrooms. The wall dimensions are 7’ long x 7′ high.
Two of the single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.
Budget
The artist(s) should submit a budget for consideration that includes all artists’ fees such as design, labor, and transportation. Paint and protective topcoat for each mural will be generously supplied by Kelly Brothers Painting, so budget estimate should include costs for any other materials needed. Costs such as insurance, taxes, studio overhead, and miscellaneous items are not eligible for inclusion.
Proposal Submission Information
Proposals must be submitted through this Google Form with attachments and time-stamped no later than 6 PM, Pacific Time, March 29, 2024.
Proposals should include:
- Project description, including sketch of proposed art and description of materials
- Artist/Artists’ Statement of interest (500 words or less)
- Resume or short biography
- Up to 5 jpeg images of previous pieces (if available): labeled with piece name, date created, location of piece, materials used.
- Annotated list of previous projects (if available), including: description, dimensions, material, location, budget, client or commissioning organization, and any other relevant project information
- Budget breakdown which includes the design fee and material costs
- Recommended maintenance plan for art that addresses any maintenance/reapplication that may be required. Please note the mural must be able to withstand power washing.
- Rank order of preferred bathrooms, with (1) as top priority and (3) as last priority
Selection Criteria
Art selection will be judged by the Tahoe Fund, LTBMU and select community members on a weighted system that is informed by the following criteria (in no particular order):
- Completeness of proposal: Does it include all eight requested elements? (12 points)
- Art Piece Content: Does the art piece capture the local environment, inspire action to take care of Tahoe, and transform the restroom experience? (10 points)
- Required maintenance: Does the proposal include a maintenance plan (5 points) and viable maintenance steps (3 additional points)
Maximum Points Possible = 30
Project Timeline
The timeline includes dates for the following milestones, as they apply:
- Call for Artists opens: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
- Submission deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024
- Review of artists proposals: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
- Winning Artist(s) Notified: Within 7 days of selection
- Artist(s) contracts finalized and signed: May 1, 2024
- Mural Creation/Installation: May 2024, weather permitting. Please note artists will have 3-5 days to install mural on-site.
- Unveiling and Celebration: TBD
Resource for Questions
For questions or additional information, please email Noah Shapiro, nshapiro@tahoefund.org.