Request for Proposals: The Watershed Mural Project
The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM) invites artists or artist teams to submit proposals for a featured mural in the IDEXX STEM Learning Hub. This project seeks to celebrate Wabanaki homeland waterways— and the specific Abenaki watershed from the mountains of Bethel, across Sebago Lake and the Presumpscot River, all the way to Casco Bay, all without Western place names.
The mural will serve as both a work of art and a foundational educational tool, encouraging children and families to see themselves as "Water Protectors" through a map-like depiction of the region’s natural ecosystem.
More About the Project
CMTM welcomes more than 215,000 visitors annually. Once this mural is completed, it will be displayed for at least five years, so the number of people that will interact with this project is potentially greater than one million. Among those visitors are many school groups that can use the mural as an interactive complement to their science curriculum. The STEM Learning Hub, where the mural will be located, is home to daily STEM programming, such as Visiting Scientists, Nature for Tots, Science for Tots, and more. The mural will provide an engaging backdrop for these programs, sparking regular conversation about the important role water plays in our lives. Overall, the mural will help visitors see themselves as part of a larger community where we all share responsibility to care for the precious resources in our environment.
This project is made possible by Sebago Clean Waters and the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership.
Artistic Vision & Key Themes
We are looking for a design that balances realism and imagination, leaning into earth tones with vibrant accents inspired by our From the Mountains to the Sea exhibit.
● A Map Without Borders: A depiction of the Sebago Lake rivers, lakes, and coastline using traditional Wabanaki geography with no western place names. The goal is for visitors to find their home through the flow of water rather than municipal lines. We encourage utilizing available Abenaki placenames and names for flora and fauna. We can connect artists to the appropriate resources.
● Biodiversity & Culturally Significant Species: Inclusion of native flora and fauna, specifically highlighting species vital to the ecosystem. Culturally significant species of flora and fauna such as eels, sturgeon, yellow perch, lynx, butternut, ash, birch, sweetgrass, etc., highlighting their importance in Wabanaki cultures.
● Intergenerational Connection: Stylized figures of elders, youth, and children woven into the landscape to represent the continuity of environmental stewardship.
Project Specifications & Compensation
● Location: Front wall of the IDEXX Gallery
● Dimensions: Approximately 9 feet (h) x 22 feet (w).
● Medium: Open to traditional paint/mural techniques directly onto the wall or on panels installed onto the wall
● Budget: $6,000 (Inclusive of design fees, materials, mileage/travel, and installation).
● Additional Benefits: Hotel accommodation provided during onsite installation process, passes to visit CMTM, and paid parking.
Image of STEM Learning Hub back wall where mural will be installed
Timeline
● Submission Deadline: May 11th, 2026 or until position is filled
● Finalist Interviews/Selection: June 19th, 2026
● Installation/Execution: September 8th-11th, 2026 (During CMTM’s Annual Maintenance & Cleaning Closure)
● Opening Celebration: October 12th, 2026 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Submission Requirements
Interested artists should submit a single PDF containing the following information and email to hiring@kitetails.org
1. Letter of Interest: Explain your connection to this theme and your personal and/or professional experience (if any) with Wabanaki communities.
2. Portfolio: 5–8 images of past work, particularly large-scale murals or map-based art.
3. Preliminary Concept Sketch: A rough "napkin sketch" or mood board showing how you would approach the 9' x 22' space. Please note: a small handwashing sink and wall mounted soap dispenser is located at the bottom left corner of the wall (see image above).
4. Technical Approach: Specify if you intend to paint on-site or on panels offsite and then installed.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed by the CMTM team; Sebago Clean Waters team; Brianne Lolar, Penobscot, project advisor; and Conor Cubit, Abenaki, project advisor; and will be evaluated based on:
● Thematic Alignment: How well the artist honors the Wabanaki homeland and the "Water Protector" concept.
● Engagement: Is the style accessible for children ages 0–12
● Technical Skill: Demonstrated ability to execute at a 22-foot scale mural.
● Demonstrated Connection to Wabanaki communities: Personal and professional experience with Wabanaki communities clearly expressed and demonstrated.
A Note on Cultural Sensitivity and the Use of A.I.
As this project centers on Wabanaki homeland, CMTM strongly encourages Indigenous artists from the Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot nations to apply. Non-Indigenous artists must demonstrate a commitment to respectful, non-appropriative representation of the culture, land, and waters.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including generative AI, is strictly prohibited in the development of proposal materials and the execution of the mural.