Murals for Chimps
Chimpanzees see all the colors that humans see. While the chimpanzees at Project Chimps do not communicate with sign language, we know from other facilities that chimps have signed their recognition of objects, designs, and colors in murals painted in their bedrooms. We have done a few, but now are inviting YOU to participate as well.
Cedar Tree Villa will be ready for interior murals to be painted in August or September this year. We are looking for volunteers to provide an interesting interior design for the chimps. We’ll provide the paints, you provide the talent – you can find all of the details to apply below.
THE PROJECT
- Project Chimps is interested in adding murals in the chimps’ bedrooms for the chimpanzees in residence. While portions of the bedroom are made of metal, each has two concrete walls that can be painted. Each of these walls also has windows and doors that the mural will have to work around.
- Each selected artist will be expected to paint both walls, creating a corner piece mural.
- The design should be “nature themed” but can be realistic, abstract, or surreal. Any colors can be used.
- Project Chimps will provide the majority of the paint products and some brushes. Artists may bring their own brushes and paint products if they prefer. All paints will need to be oil-based house paints that will adhere to concrete or metal surfaces.
- The building in which the mural will be painted will have no chimpanzees in residence and will allow the artist up to 4-consecutive days to paint their mural from start to finish.
- No compensation is being offered, all artists will be volunteering their time and donating their artwork. All artists will receive recognition on the Project Chimps website and on social media and may use photographs of the mural in their own portfolio.
The first mural for chimps project will be for two bedrooms in Cedar Tree Villa. Applications will be due by July 31 and the murals will be scheduled to be installed in August and September. One youth and one adult applicant will be selected to each paint one bedroom.
Additional mural projects will be announced for other chimp bedroom spaces in the near future, subscribe to our newsletter to be sure you learn about them.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
- Letter of intention to include your background as an artist, why you want to paint for chimps, and the dates you would be available to work on the project.
- One image of the sketch or idea board for your proposed mural.
- Up to 6 images of past work that represents your art style.
- For adults, current resume or artist bio.
- For youth, letter(s) of support from an art teacher and/or a parental guardian that can speak of their artist skills.
Email your application with all the above required attachments by July 31 to info@projectchimps.org You will receive a reply to confirm receipt of the application within 24 hours. If your files are too large to attach to an email, please provide a link to a dropbox or other file storage site. All applicants will be contacted by August 10th with the final decision.
AFTER APPROVAL
The following requirements apply to all applicants whose project is approved through this program:
- The applicant must agree to our liability waiver and an art agreement.
- The mural must be scheduled to be completed with an agreed upon 4-day window that will be scheduled for late August or early September. If the artist is unable to meet that deadline, approval will be rescinded and offered to another applicant.
- As part of the art agreement, the artist agrees to waiver of any rights covered in the federal Visual Artist Rights Act that would interfere with the performance of all rights under the art agreement.
- Artist will agree to use provided paints or have all paint products approved by Project Chimps prior to use to ensure they will be safe and effective on the concrete and/or metal surfaces within the chimpanzee spaces.
- Artists should provide their own brushes or other application materials.
- Project Chimps will provide ladders and safety equipment to be used for higher up areas as well as drop clothes to protect the floor.
- An assigned Project Chimps escort will need to remain with the artist at all times while they are on property. There will be no chimpanzees in the buildings that are being painted.
- Project Chimps may invite media to interview and film the artist during and/or after the installation.