MURAL MASTERS Burien
NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT APPLICATION

Provide a description of the following: project location, overall project timeline, major steps in completing the project and how the neighborhood or neighbors will be involved in the project, and the number of volunteers.

Event Date: June 21st -23rd

Project Location: 
The Art Alley*, Mural Masters' primary public venue, is situated along SW 152nd Alley, between 4th Ave SW and Ambaum Blvd SW. 

Participating Businesses Include; 
Computer Sonics, Iris and Peony, Remax Real Estate, Bison Creek Pizza, Enviromech, Para Los Ninos

Project Timeline: 

• November / December ‘23: Initial planning for 2024 event

• January ‘23: Confirmed Artists participation

• February ‘24: Administrative work / build website / create social media campaigns / research sponsorships, partnerships, and grant opportunities 

• March ‘24: Confirm Business Participation

• April ‘24: Attain Fiscal Sponsor / Attain Funds from various grants

• May ‘24: Fundraiser (Goal $5,000 / Community Fundraising (Goal $2000)

• June ‘24: Main 3-Day Event 

• July ‘24: Post Event Meeting / Application of Anti-Graffiti Coating / Plaque Placement / Documentation of final, completed murals

Major Steps in Completing the project: 
Preparations for Mural Masters 2024 have been underway since November 2023, marked by monthly planning meetings and ongoing email correspondence. As the event date approaches, our efforts have intensified with increased meetings to finalize artist selections, secure venues, and confirm participating businesses. Additionally, we have a fundraising event scheduled for May and are in the process of launching an online fundraiser to solicit individual donations. Currently, we are eagerly awaiting a response from Shunpike regarding fiscal sponsorship.

Historically, we have been fortunate to receive grants from the City of Burien and 4Culture. At present, our primary focus is on securing necessary funding and solidifying a fiscal sponsorship to ensure the success of Mural Masters 2024.

Major Checkpoints for Mural Masters;

• Attain Fiscal Sponsor for the event

• Sponsorship and Funds secured

• Event Preparation including priming the walls for muralists, 

• Active painting days and artist support

• Community engage during the event

• Post event meeting for feedback and review 

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.

Community Engagement:
Grant funding will bolster our programming, including events held at various local businesses throughout the festival. These events range from drawing sessions at the Hobnobber and/or Humble Hall to an all-ages 'free-wall' activity, where youth participants can contribute to a mural on a mobile wall in our art park. Additionally, we're collaborating with artists to organize engaging talks at their mural sites, offering insights into their artistic journeys and creations. Interactivity is key to our event, emphasizing that viewers can actively participate in the creation of these public works of art.

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.

Advertising
Our advertising strategy encompasses a multi-faceted approach to maximize visibility and engagement. With a growing social media presence boasting over 250 followers, we leverage platforms like Instagram and Facebook to amplify our reach and generate excitement for the event. Our thriving email list serves as a direct channel for sending regular updates and announcements as we approach the event date, ensuring our audience stays informed and engaged.

In addition to digital efforts, we're taking a grassroots approach by creating eye-catching posters and flyers to distribute throughout the community. By canvassing neighboring areas such as South Park and White Center, we aim to attract diverse participants and forge valuable connections with local resources.

We're also harnessing the influence of our participating artists, many of whom have substantial social media followings. Through collaboration, we encourage artists to share our event across their social channels, exponentially expanding our reach and engagement.

As a unique fundraising initiative, we're excited to unveil a limited edition art poster commemorating the event. This exclusive item not only serves as a cherished memento for attendees but also contributes to our fundraising efforts, immortalizing the spirit of Mural Masters for years to come.

Provide a description of the proposed project, including how the project will benefit the Burien community. Provide specific examples of community benefits and describe who will benefit from the project.

About the 2024 Event
Our event's objective is to celebrate diverse styles of large-scale urban art and honor the artists behind them. Through the adornment of buildings with vibrant murals, we not only deter graffiti but also cultivate community, knowledge, and joy within Burien. Mural Masters serves as a catalyst for tourism and economic growth, embodying our commitment to inclusivity by spotlighting artists from communities of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Ensuring free public participation is integral to our mission of making art accessible to all. We aim to fortify Burien's art community by demystifying the mural-making process and inviting spectators to witness its creation. We believe neighborhoods should mirror their inhabitants, using muralism to showcase identity.

While we welcome international and national artists, we prioritize local talent, providing spaces for the voices of Burien and neighboring communities. Recognizing the value of artists, we offer stipends for their labor, talent, and integrity, acknowledging the substantial costs associated with mural creation.

Our commitment extends beyond the event itself; we aim to leave lasting impressions through walking tours, art walks, and curated spaces of interest. Additionally, we've allocated funds for scannable plaques, ensuring viewers can access information about the artwork long after the event concludes. This investment safeguards both the event and the community's shared artistic experiences for posterity.

What is Mural Masters?
Mural Masters is an esteemed annual graffiti and street art festival held in Burien's Art Alley since 2014. Each year, we bring together over 20 international and local artists to transform our cityscape with stunning large-scale murals, spanning diverse styles and disciplines. Our mission is to cultivate inclusive community spaces, deter graffiti, and foster economic growth through the celebration of urban artistry.

*What is the Art Alley? (See Diagrams Below)
Nestled within the Burien Creative District, the Art Alley spans SW 152nd Alley between 4th Ave SW and Ambaum Blvd SW, serving as a dynamic canvas for our event. This vibrant space has evolved from its modest beginnings, featuring several murals that have rotated over the years to make room for new artists. What started as a few participating businesses has flourished into two full blocks of artistic expression at the heart of downtown Burien.

The History of Mural Masters
Mural Masters originated in 2014 as a project of the B-Town Beat, a vibrant music and art walk in downtown Burien. Despite facing pandemic-related interruptions, the festival has persisted annually, driven by the unwavering dedication of its founders, Sneke and Shelli Kay Park. Together, they have tirelessly championed the inclusion of top artists from both the greater Seattle area and abroad, while also prioritizing opportunities for local talent to shine and give back to the community.

The festival's main public venue, the Art Alley, situated on SW 152nd Alley between 4th Ave SW and Ambaum Blvd SW, serves as a central hub for Mural Masters. Under Sneke and Shelli's guidance, the collective is thrilled to reintroduce the event to the community, fostering excitement and anticipation.

Embodying their commitment to equity, the current collective comprises four diverse artists alongside a passionate community member who shares their vision. Notably, three panel members boast participation in other mural festivals. Each member brings a wealth of experience in mural artistry, spanning various styles and disciplines. 

Past Artist Roster (Partial List)

• Merlot, Seattle, WA

• Sneke, Des Moines WA

• Tuyuloveme, Indonesia

• Angelina 179 Villalobos, Burien WA 

• Stevie Shao, Seattle WA

• Zaeos, Los Angeles CA

• TheyDrift, Portland OR

• KSRA, Portland OR

• Mantra, Leon, France