Murals Across the City - Artist Submissions

Destination Cleveland is launching the third round of its Murals Across the City program, seeking three new mural designs to be installed across Cleveland's neighborhoods in 2026. This initiative aims to brighten the city, support local artists, and drive foot traffic to businesses while creating opportunities for residents and visitors to explore Cleveland's diverse communities.

The program deliberately focuses on underserved outer neighborhoods—not Downtown, Ohio City, or Tremont—with the goal of bringing visitors and locals to these areas to experience unique neighborhoods and local businesses. Each selected artist will receive a $5,000 commission.

Proposed artwork should embody Cleveland's core values: connection, creativity, determination, and a fun unpretentious attitude. Designs must express Cleveland's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Each mural incorporates one of Destination Cleveland's four brand phrases: "Always, unmistakably Cleveland," "The land of exceeding expectations," "World class experiences without the world class ego," or "Under the right conditions, pressure creates diamonds."

A significant change from previous rounds is the shift from hand-painted murals to heat-applied vinyl, making the process more accessible. Artists can now submit digital designs, drawings, or traditional artwork—you don't need to be a professional muralist. Destination Cleveland, building owners, and artists collaborate during selection, with building owners choosing which artist's style best suits their location.

Locations are identified through partnerships with neighborhood Community Development Corporations and Cleveland City Council representatives. The program has successfully installed nine murals in previous rounds, attracting new audiences and generating positive feedback from business owners who report increased foot traffic. All three new murals are expected to be installed by September 2026.