The Friends of MLK, Downtown Davenport Partnership, and Quad City Arts are seeking the design and installation of a public mural to be created in Davenport, Iowa. The mural will be on the north-facing wall of the train bridge on the southeast corner of Brady St. and E. 5th St., across from the MLK Interpretive Center. This mural will be the first installation in a series of installations around the Center and park.

This mural project seeks to honor the resilience and vibrancy of Black Davenport in the late 1880’s through the early 1900s, focusing on the intersection of race, community, entertainment, and labor. Using archival imagery from the era, the artist should highlight daily life, entrepreneurship, and social gatherings in a style that emphasizes warmth and dignity for all.

This mural project is jointly undertaken by the Friends of MLK (FOMLK), Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), and Quad City Arts (QCA).

MEASUREMENTS
The paintable surface of the wall is approximately: 105’ long and 11’ tall. Every inch of the wall does not need to be painted. Photos are attached at the end of the document.

PAYMENT
$17,500 — 50% to be paid upon contract execution and 50% within 30 days of completion of the mural. This fee includes all associated costs of creation (i.e., materials, paint, transportation, lodging, etc.). Please note, walls will be power washed and primed ahead of mural installation.

DEADLINE
Proposals shall be submitted no later than Monday, March 30, 2026 at 9:00am via online form at form.jotform.com/260627026956159 or by email at rfq@quadcityarts.com. If submitting via email, please submit written materials as PDF and work samples as .jpeg. Do not embed work samples within PDF. Submissions shall be clearly labeled “Friends of MLK RFQ.”