Submissions accepted now for Boston
Who is eligible to paint in the 2026 Blkout Walls Mural Festival?
Artists must be 18 years or older. Blkout Walls is a BIPOC-led, BIPOC-centered festival, and we proudly prioritize applications from artists of color — including Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Afro-Latine, Middle Eastern, mixed-race, and diaspora-identifying artists. We also strongly welcome women, non-binary, trans, and gender-expansive artists of color. When we refer to gender minorities, we are including anyone whose gender identity, expression, or lived experience differs from cisnormative or binary expectations (such as transgender, non-binary, gender-fluid, or Two-Spirit artists). We recognize the systemic inequities these artists face, and Blkout Walls is committed to creating a joyful, safe, and affirming space for you to shine.
When do applications open and close? Applications for the 2026 Blkout Walls muralist cohort will open January 6, 2026] and close February 10, 2026
Do you accept artists from outside Michigan, Boston or outside the U.S.?
Yes! Blkout Walls welcomes artists of color from anywhere in the U.S. and around the world. International artists are responsible for securing any necessary visas or travel documentation.Note: Because of budget constraints, our capacity to host international artists is limited.
Do I need to submit a concept or rendering with my application?No. Please don’t.
We do not want mural concepts or renderings during the application stage.
We are evaluating you, your style, your voice — not a specific design. After initial invitation to the festival, selected artists will submit loose sketches to ensure the design aligns with festival guidelines theme and community agreements.
We aren’t here to art-direct you. We don’t critique your concept.
How are artists selected?
Our process is community-rooted, rigorous, and intentional. A review panel of 5 artists and community professionals (all with strong ties to BIPOC creative communities) evaluate every application. Points are assigned based on:
• Artistic merit
• Clarity of style and voice
• Alignment with Blkout Walls’ mission
• Strength of previous work
• Professionalism and completeness of the application
We work to create a lineup that celebrates the range and brilliance of artists of color — across styles, regions, experiences, and identities.
What makes a strong application?
1. A meaningful “Why”We want to hear why you want to be part of Blkout Walls.
Our festival is rooted in community, joy, collaboration, and the empowerment of artists of color.Answers that feel disconnected from our purpose (like “I want exposure,” “I want to travel,” or “I’ve never painted in your city”) score lower. We deeply value artists who are:• community-minded• collaborative• mission-aligned• excited to show up fully — not just for the wall, but for the peopleEgo and arrogance don’t vibe here. The festival’s magic depends on artists who genuinely want to be part of the community experience.
2. High-quality work + clear artistic identityWe need to see:• Cohesive style• Strong work samples• A sense of direction and purposeAnd please follow the submission instructions (file formats, questions, completeness). It matters.
3. DiversityBlkout Walls intentionally curates a lineup that reflects the breadth of artistry within communities of color — diverse in:• style• region• identity• experience• artistic approachWe will not assemble a lineup where the work all looks the same. That’s why we encourage applicants to apply again even if they weren’t selected previously.
Each year brings new reviewers, new artists, and a new energy.
Where is the 2026 festival taking place?The 2026 Blkout Walls Mural Festival will take place in June 2026 in the Roxbury neighborhood in Boston