Why Murals?
The NASA Lifelines Mural Program brings together local artists and communities to create murals in cities around the world that highlight how satellite data and tools are helping build community resilience. From preparing for natural disasters and ensuring access to clean drinking water, to responding to pandemics, communities are leveraging Earth science to guide local decision-making. In partnership with local artists, these murals will showcase humanitarians at the forefront of innovation and will highlight powerful stories to make science more accessible.
In 2024 NASA Lifelines painted 5 murals across the United States. Read about the mural we completed in Washington D.C. USA below
About NASA Lifelines
NASA Lifelines is a six-year community building initiative that engages humanitarians, scientists and artists to unlock the benefits of satellite data and tools for better decision making before, during and after a crisis. Through a series of innovative programs, NASA Lifelines connects the experts needed to tackle pressing humanitarian challenges like earthquakes, disease outbreaks and climate change, which disproportionately impact the world’s most vulnerable communities. NASA Lifelines is led by the services firm DevGlobal in partnerships with NASA.
Who Can Apply
We welcome to apply:
- Artists with a passion for storytelling and community-based work.
- Property Owners with walls that could host a mural
- Organizations interested in supporting or co-sponsoring a mural project.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for:
- Applicants with strong interest in connecting art, community, and science.
- Applicants who are based in or have strong ties to Bogota, Cali or the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina
- Walls with visibility and community relevance, and a property to host the mural for a minimum of two years. Wall criteria is indicated below.
- A minimum 300sqft mural that is aligned with NASA Lifelines’ mission and reflects the local context. NASA Lifelines will provide guidance on mural topic and subject matter.
- Commitment to involving the community in some way (design, promotion, process, or celebration).
Wall Criteria
We’re seeking property partners who believe in the mission of NASA Lifelines and are excited to partner with us to bring a public artwork to their community. We are seeking walls for our murals that are visible, accessible, and in good condition and in spaces where artists can work safely and the finished piece can reach a broad and diverse audience. In this document you’ll find an overview of what we look for in a mural wall and an overview of the terms and conditions of our property agreement.
Visibility and Audience
- The wall should be visible to people walking by or passing by in cars, public transit, or on bicycles.
- The wall is in a commercial district, neighborhood or area that has expressed or demonstrated support for public art and murals.
- The wall must fit a minimum 250 square foot mural
Surface and Roof Conditions
- Preferred wall materials include unpainted brick, smooth concrete, or stucco surfaces free from significant defects.
- Other materials such as wood or metal may be acceptable if they are in good condition and properly prepared and sealed.
- Large, continuous wall areas are ideal; however, windows, doors, or other features may be incorporated into the design if necessary.
- Bricks and mortar should be solid, with tuckpointing no deeper than ¼ inch and no crumbling, cracking, or powdering.
- The wall must be dry, free of rust stains, water seepage, or discoloration.
- If previously painted, ensure the paint is well-adhered and not peeling, chipping, blistering, or chalking.
- The wall should be structurally sound and not show signs of bowing, leaning, or large cracks.
- Roofs, parapets, and flashing should be in good repair and not cause water intrusion or wall damage.
Surrounding Conditions
- The site must provide a safe, stable workspace for artists, including clear ground access for scaffolding or lifts.
- The ground should be firm and level enough to support scaffolding, ladders, or boom lifts. If the area is grass or dirt, plywood or ground protection mats should be used.
- The wall should be free from overhead wires or obstructions that could interfere with mural installation.
- Access to storage, electricity, water, and restrooms is preferred (though these can be arranged through alternative means if needed).
- Necessary permits and permissions (e.g., street or sidewalk closures, historic district approvals) should be identified and obtained as needed.
Wall Agreement
A formal wall agreement will be signed between the property owner, artist, and NASA Lifelines (via DevGlobal Partners). Key terms will include:
- Duration: The mural will remain on display for a minimum of two years, after which the property owner may return the wall to its original condition.
- Maintenance: The artist guarantees materials and workmanship for two years. Repairs for vandalism, graffiti, or accidental damage will be the responsibility of the property owner. In the case of vandalism, the artist will make themselves available in a reasonable timeframe to repair the mural, not at the artist’s expense.
- Job Site: The artist will maintain a clean, orderly work area and is responsible for proper cleanup. The property owner will provide reasonable on-site storage and restroom access during the project.
- Copyright: The artist retains full copyright, including rights to reproduce and create derivative works. The artist has the right to prevent intentional distortion, modification, or destruction of the artwork during the agreed display period.
- Image Use: NASA Lifelines and the property owner may use two-dimensional reproductions of the mural for non-commercial purposes such as media, publications, or community outreach. Any commercial reproductions require separate permission from the artist.
- Ownership: Upon completion, ownership of the physical mural transfers to the property owner, while copyright remains with the artist.
Apply
Applications are open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until artists and sites are selected for each location.
Please submit a short application through our online portal including:
- Basic Info: Contact details and role (artist, property owner, organization, or group).
- About You/Your Group: Brief background (artist portfolio OR organization/owner description).
- The Opportunity: If you’re proposing a wall, share address, photos, and any details (ownership, visibility, condition).
- Community Connection: A short statement (250–400 words) about the community you’re connected to and how a mural could reflect local disaster resilience.
- Partnerships: (Optional) Note any existing collaborations (e.g. property + artist + sponsor).
FAQ’s
What if the wall I am proposing is bigger than 300 square feet and we want a bigger mural?
300 square feet is only the minimum mural size and we invite you to dream big. We are open to co-funding from partners to increase the scope of the project.
What if I am a property owner applying and I don’t have an artist identified?
No worries. We welcome property owners to submit standalone applications. We can work together to find the right artist for your wall.
What will the topic of the mural be?
The theme of the mural is crisis readiness and community resilience. The specific topic of each mural will vary depending on the local context and artist interpretation.
Is it a requirement that the artist is based in the city?
It is not a requirement, but we would like to work with artists who have a connection to the location for which they will be painting in.
What is a mural celebration?
We’d like to celebrate the mural once it is complete with a public reveal! We will work with the property owner and any community partners to sort this out on planning.
