The Harvard Ed Portal is a collaborative partnership involving Harvard, the Allston-Brighton community, and the City of Boston. The Ed Portal is the Allston-Brighton community’s front door to Harvard’s educational, arts, wellness, and workforce and economic development programs.
The Harvard Ed Portal is seeking local artists for a short-term mural at 224 Western Ave in Allston, MA.
We’re commissioning a new spring 2027 mural for the Ed Portal’s front plaza on Spurr Street! We welcome both new and seasoned muralists to propose bold, site-responsive ideas that spark connection, inspire joy, community, and wonder. Artists are also encouraged to experiment or add an interactive element. Priority for Allston-Brighton & Cambridge creatives; open to all local artists.
The mural board is freestanding and modestly sized (approximately 8 x 12 feet). In addition to the mural, the artist will also provide visual and written materials for related content on the Ed Portal's website.
Selected artist(s) will receive a payment of $1000–$1500 which includes an honorarium as well as a materials budget. The fee variability is dependent on project complexity and the number of people involved.
Optional: Priority given to submissions that include an idea for an interactive component that prompts visitors to dive deeper into mural themes, such as an artist talk or asynchronous engagement. An additional honorarium will be provided if there is an engagement activity.
Submissions from artists of all experience levels are encouraged — emerging, mid-career, or established — as well as solo artists or collaborations. Preference to applicants living and/or working in Allston-Brighton and Cambridge. BIPOC & LBGTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.
If selected, the artist will work collaboratively with the Ed Portal Arts Program team in development of the final mural and any interactive components to determine project feasibility within city and university real estate regulations.
ONLINE SUBMISSION PERIOD: October 9--November 5, 2026 (Deadline: Midnight)
SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT: November 30, 2026
INSTALLATION DATES: Early April 2027, TBD by the artist and Ed Portal
RUN DATES: April 2027-March 2028
LOCATION: Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Ave, Allston, MA 02134
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- Contact and Demographic Information
- Brief mural idea proposal with conceptual and visual description, accompanied by a design sketch
- Three-five images capturing examples of past or proposed work. (Please submit images as JPEG files no larger than 2000 pixels max width @ 72 DPI. ALL FILES MUST BE NAMED AND NUMBERED "lastname.firstname_title01")
Criteria for jurying submissions may include, but are not limited to: Relevance of mural theme; impact on pedestrian experience; overall aesthetic of artwork or proposed artwork; appropriateness for public display; the scale and ability to withstand the elements and normal wear and tear; and detail of application/proposal.
About the Ed Portal: The Harvard Ed Portal (HEP) is a collaborative partnership involving Harvard, the Allston-Brighton community, and the City of Boston. Created in close consultation with the Allston community, it’s a space where Allston-Brighton residents, students, families, and professionals from every walk of life participate in innovative programming and learn from one another. From K–12 education and family programs, to opportunities for digital learning, career and economic development, personal wellness, and the arts, the Ed Portal provides countless resources to support and enrich the lives of those in and around the community.