The 2026 Community Mural Training Program Artist Call

The 2026 Community Mural Training Program Artist Call 

About Common Wealth Murals 

Common Wealth Murals (CWM) is a Springfield-based nonprofit public art organization that collaborates with communities, schools, municipalities, and artists to create murals that reflect local histories, identities, and aspirations. Since 2019, CWM has produced more than 100 murals and public art installations throughout Western Massachusetts and engaged thousands of residents in collaborative design and painting processes. 

CWM specializes in community-engaged mural production using the Goodspace Method of polytab mural production, a durable large-scale mural process that allows residents of all ages and skill levels to meaningfully participate in creating public art. Through training, apprenticeships, and collaborative mural projects, CWM works to expand access to mural-making skills and strengthen pathways for artists interested in socially engaged public art practice. 

CWM has provided paid mural training opportunities to dozens of artists, supporting the development of a growing network of muralists equipped to lead collaborative public art projects in their own communities.

Training Overview 

Common Wealth Murals (CWM) is accepting applications from artists and muralists for a paid Community Mural Training that will culminate in the creation of three large-scale public murals in Holyoke, MA’s Puerto Rican Cultural District and 2 in Springfield MA. 

This intensive, hands-on training is designed for artists who want to deepen their skills in community-engaged mural making while working alongside experienced muralists on real public art projects. Participants will gain practical experience in every phase of the mural fabrication process, from preparing mural panels and facilitating community paint days to large-scale painting techniques and permanent mural installation. 

Through this intensive Community Mural Training, participants will learn how to: ● Prepare polytab panels and organize murals for community painting ● Facilitate community paint days using the GoodSpace Method 

● Paint effectively at mural scale 

● Install permanent outdoor polytab murals 

● Work collaboratively as part of a professional mural production team ● Navigate the technical, logistical, and public-facing aspects of large-scale mural projects 

The process you will learn 

First the mural is turned into a color-coded outline, which is projected onto polytab fabric, creating a giant paint-by-numbers.

The panels are brought into the community, where hundreds of people can help lay down the first coat of paint. 

The artists then complete 

the technical and detailed 

painting in the studio.

The finished panels are glued to the wall and the seams are carefully overpainted. 

When completed, the mural is permanent and looks as if it was painted on the wall.

SCHEDULE 

Participation in all training dates is required. 

We will be creating 5 murals as part of this training. Like all murals, this will require long hours, taxing physical work, working outside and interacting with the public. Please keep this in mind when applying. 

Weekend 1 Training: Polytab Prep and Community Painting 

In person at CWM Studio in Springfield MA 

Friday July 17, 2026 5:30 - 8:30PM 

Saturday July 18, 2026 9AM to 5PM 

Sunday July 19, 2026 9AM to 5PM 

Online Training: Community Engaged Mural Design 

With Greta McLain, Founder and Artistic Director of GoodSpace Murals Tuesdays August 4 and 18, 6 to 8PM 

Mural Painting 

Each trainee will be assigned five 5’ by 5’ panels (125SF) which they will be responsible for painting. Painting can be done at the CWM Studio or at home, but the panels must be completed by Monday, August 24. 

The estimated time commitment to complete the panels is 40 to 50 hours per person. 

Weekend 2 Training: Polytab Mural Installation 

In person, onsite at the mural locations in Holyoke and Springfield 

Saturday – Monday September 5 – 7 (Labor Day Weekend), 9AM to 6PM Tuesday – Friday September 8 – 10: Two shifts during these days from 9AM to 6PM 

Mural Celebrations 

Saturday or Sunday September 11 or 12, exact dates and times TBD 

COST 

Thanks to the generous support of our funders, selected artists will receive this training for free and will be paid a stipend of $2,100 for their full participation.

Funding for this training is provided by Barr Foundation, MassMutual Foundation, Community Foundation of WMass, the MAss Cultural Council and the Holyoke and Springfield Cultural Councils. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications are due no later than June 15th 2026. 

Please submit any questions about the opportunity or application to Talysha Rivera at info@commonwealthmurals.org 

APPLY HERE: https://bit.ly/3PL2PYC 

You will be asked the following questions in the application 

- An Artist Statement describing your work and approach to your artistic practice. (one paragraph) 

- What experience do you have with community-engaged art making? Describe your past experience with community-engaged art making, teaching, workshop facilitation, and/or public speaking. (one paragraph) 

- Why are you interested in this particular opportunity? 

Describe your interest in participating in this training, and why you think this is the right time to add community-engaged mural making to your practice. (one paragraph) 

- Do you have a connection to Holyoke, Springfield or Hamden County? Let us know if you live, work, or have a meaningful connection to Holyoke, Springfield or Hampden County 

- 2 references (name, email and phone number) 

These should be people who can speak to your artistic and/or professional experience and ability to fully participate in this training. 

- Website and/or social media that show your artistic work

- 3 to 5 work samples 

Share examples of your artistic work. Include examples of your painting, and murals (if any). 

- Murals require long hours, taxing physical work, and working outside in view of the public. Are you physically able to fully participate if selected? Yes / No (if no, please explain) 

- All of the scheduled training and work days, and independent painting are required. Are you able to attend all scheduled dates and are you able to spend the time painting independently to complete your portion of the mural? Yes / No (if no, please explain) 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

The following criteria will be used to select the arti