Last week, Mayor Kim Janey announced the Joy Agenda, a city-wide initiative that will feature a number of job opportunities for creatives, including the 2021 Transformative Public Art Program, which is now accepting applications.

Last year, 24 public art projects were awarded grants totaling $35,000 as part of the program. This year, the call has been split into three opportunities.

Option one is for artists interested in creating murals who are flexible about location. Artists will be selected based on a written proposal, portfolio, and interests, and the city will match them with a site. The deadline to apply is Wed., June 2, at 5 p.m.

Opportunity 2 is for artists interested in creating murals that are associated with specific themes or communities identified by the City. Projects include working with the Hyde Square Task Force and community members to create a mural for Boston’s Latin Quarter in Mozart Park in Jamaica Plain, working with the Boston Parks Department and community members to create a mural honoring the legacy of Malcolm X in Malcolm X Park in Roxbury, working with a consulting team and community members to create a mural commemorating the legacy of Rita Hester and Transgender Day of Remembrance in Allston, and working with Age Strong and community members to create a mural at the East Boston Senior Center. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is Wed., June 16, at 5 p.m.

Opportunity 3 is for artists with a specific short-term project and location in mind. Projects can include murals, new media, traditional media, installations or performances, community-engaged cultural practices, social practice, or elements that specifically engage youth and/or non-English speaking communities. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is Wed., June 30, at 5 p.m. 

Budgets for Opportunity 1 and 2 projects will range from $25,000 to $75,000 depending on site. Budgets for Opportunity 3 projects will start at $1,000.

This program is open to all arts and culture practitioners, organizers, professional artists, curators, cultural workers, arts administrators, etc. with a strong preference for those who live in or have a connection to Boston and/or the overall theme or the theme for an individual site.

The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture will be holding a virtual Q&A session on Wed., May 26 at noon. To learn more about the Joy Agenda, visit boston.gov/joy.