EVALUATION: What criteria will you use to measure the success of your project(s)? What have you learned from previous evaluations? 

We measure the success of Mural Masters using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across four main areas: community engagement, visibility, artistic impact, and event execution.

1. Community Engagement

• Attendance & Participation: Tracking the number of attendees, vendor participation, and engagement in interactive elements like the public art activation.

• Survey Feedback: Collecting post-event survey responses from artists, vendors, and attendees to assess overall experience and areas for improvement.

• Public Interaction: Monitoring how the murals resonate with the community through discussions, foot traffic, and engagement with local businesses.

2. Visibility & Awareness

• Press & Media Coverage: Measuring the number of local and regional media features, interviews, and articles.

• Social Media Reach: Tracking shares, comments, and posts from both Mural Masters’ platforms and participating artists, some of whom have 50K+ followers.

• Online Engagement: Evaluating website visits, email list growth, and engagement with digital marketing efforts.

3. Artistic & Cultural Impact

• Public Reception of Murals: Observing conversations and reactions to murals in the weeks following the event. Son’s Catrina mural last year sparked meaningful discourse, highlighting the role of public art in fostering community dialogue.

• Artist Opportunities: Ensuring a diverse lineup, prioritizing local, BIPOC, and emerging artists, and tracking their professional growth post-event.

4. Event Execution & Growth

• Fundraising & Sponsorships: Comparing sponsorship and fundraising goals with actual contributions.

• Infrastructure & Logistics: Reviewing operational efficiency, permit approvals, and volunteer support to improve next year’s festival.

Past evaluations have taught us the importance of deepening community engagement, enhancing artist-audience interaction, and refining our outreach strategies to ensure Mural Masters continues to thrive.

IMPACT: How will this grant make a difference to your project?

Since we operate on a small budget, every dollar from this grant has a direct and meaningful impact on Mural Masters. Funding allows us to provide essential resources for artists, secure necessary permits, and cover logistical costs that ensure a successful event.

Last year, this grant played a vital role in helping us expand our programming, increase community engagement, and improve the overall festival experience. It allowed us to support artists with stipends, create interactive art activities for the public, and enhance outreach efforts to attract a larger and more diverse audience.

With continued funding, we can build on this success by offering more opportunities for local artists, increasing public participation through hands-on art experiences, and improving accessibility so that everyone in the community can engage with and enjoy the festival.

Additionally, the grant helps us maintain the murals beyond the event by supporting anti-graffiti coatings and preservation efforts, ensuring that these artworks continue to beautify Burien year-round.

OUTREACH

Describe your intended audience and how you will reach them.

We strive to engage community members by coaching our artists on how to interact with viewers, hosting an info booth for questions and event details, and incorporating interactive elements into our programming. Our intended audience includes anyone who loves public art and wants to engage with the creative process—whether as spectators, participants, or supporters.

To ensure accessibility for all, we promote Mural Masters through multiple channels. Our outreach includes social media campaigns, features in local blogs and periodicals, and direct invitations to community stakeholders. Additionally, we encourage our roster of artists—many of whom have substantial social media followings—to share the event with their audiences, expanding our reach beyond Burien.

By combining in-person engagement with strategic digital promotion, we create an inclusive and inviting space that connects artists, residents, and visitors through the power of public art.

FEASIBILITY

Detail your plan to successfully accomplish the project within the proposed timeframe and budget. (You may include a past track record of completed work, qualifications of participants, partners, supporters, etc.)

Mural Masters has a strong track record of organizing successful mural festivals, with each year growing in scope and community engagement. Our team consists of experienced muralists, designers, and event organizers who ensure smooth execution. We have consistently met and exceeded our goals, adding new features like an Artist Market and interactive public art experiences.

Our promotional reach is another strength—many of our participating artists have social media followings of 50,000+ fans, increasing visibility and attracting both regional and national attention to Burien’s art scene.

Our timeline includes early-stage planning (November–December), securing artists (February), and confirming sponsorships, partnerships, and permits (March–April). Promotion ramps up in April, with fundraising efforts in May. Murals are prepped in June, with the three-day festival bringing new murals to life. July focuses on wrap-up efforts, including anti-graffiti coatings, plaque placements, and final documentation.

We have successfully followed this structure in previous years, ensuring the event’s success while increasing public engagement and community pride in Burien’s growing arts scene

PUBLIC BENEFIT

Describe how your project will provide arts and culture access for new or diverse audiences in Burien; showcase unique or innovative ideas; increase access for under-served groups; or provide an opportunity for artistic development.

Mural Masters is committed to increasing arts and culture access for diverse audiences in Burien by showcasing local talent and fostering community participation. We prioritize featuring muralists and artists from Burien and the greater Seattle area, ensuring representation of different backgrounds and artistic styles.

Last year, we introduced an Artist Market as part of our Saturday programming, giving local artists—many of them Burien residents—the opportunity to sell their work and engage directly with the community. This provided emerging artists with a platform to showcase their talent while making art more accessible to the public.

We also hosted an interactive public canvas where festival attendees could create their own stencils and spray-paint them onto a collaborative artwork under the guidance of Seattle Paint Party. This hands-on experience allowed people of all ages and backgrounds to actively engage in the creative process, deepening their connection to public art.

Beyond the festival weekend, the murals themselves serve as lasting cultural landmarks, celebrating Burien’s identity and artistic talent year-round. By transforming public spaces into open-air galleries, we create an environment where art is freely accessible to all, fostering civic pride and a stronger sense of place.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Describe in detail the project/programs for which funding is requested. Include information such as dates, times, and location of performances, exhibits, or events. Also include anticipated attendance numbers, intended audience, and artistic purpose. Please review Application Guidelines for criteria for answering these questions.

We are planning the 8th Annual Mural Masters festival on June 20th–22nd, 2025, in The Art Alley, located along SW 152nd Alley between 4th Ave SW and Ambaum Blvd SW. This three-day event brings together talented muralists to create vibrant, large-scale artworks, transforming public spaces into engaging, community-driven art experiences.

We’re requesting funding to support event costs, including artist stipends, supplies, permits, and logistical needs. In 2024, we reached approximately 300 attendees, and with growing community interest, we anticipate even greater participation in 2025. Our audience includes Burien residents, local businesses, and art lovers who appreciate public art’s role in fostering connection and cultural vibrancy.

This year, we will repaint our rotating walls with fresh murals, offering returning visitors an entirely new visual experience. Beyond beautification, our mission is to activate public spaces, encourage walkability, and contribute to Burien’s economic and cultural growth. By attracting visitors to explore the murals, we increase foot traffic to local businesses and create safer, more inviting streets.

Mural Masters is committed to making Burien a hub for public art and community engagement. With continued support, we aim to expand programming, involve more artists, and enhance the overall festival experience for residents and visitors alike.

Volunteer Numbers: 
There are 5 primary members of the organizing team including founders Shelli Kay Park, Sneke, Lance McIntosh, and 2 local muralists Craig Johnson and Angelina ‘179’ Villalobos.

We are seeking a crew of 7 volunteers to assist with the event as well as local artists for our public activation stations.

Artwork Preservation Contingency Plan:
For the permanent murals we will install an anti-graffiti coating. We also will provide touch-ups for the murals in case of defacement, but we have found most if not none of our past murals has been defaced.