Park Board Mural Guidelines

These guidelines outline the process for approvals for mural projects on Park Board property. For the purposes of this document murals consist of painting, mosaic or relief artwork applied to exterior walls, facilities or structures.

The Park Board acknowledges that murals can add to the community by:

• creating landmarks;
• demonstrating community identity and pride;
• claiming space for public uses;
• declaring a building's purpose;
• enlivening the area;
• deterring graffiti and involving youth; and
• providing pleasure.

Key Considerations

Many factors affect the successful outcome of a mural project. Please consider the following:

1. Murals may affect the architect's original design for the buildings. Please consider carefully the architect's design for the building. Remember to integrate the windows and doors into the composition. Consultation with the architect of the facility may be required. Some buildings or structures may not be suitable for a mural.
2. The facilities or structures serve many different people and groups in the community and a community consultation process is required.
3. The City also has mural guidelines addressing signs in conjunction with murals, proximity of two murals and suitability of location. A development permit may be required if the mural faces residential or commercial property. (See below for details.)
4. Where there is community participation, the proposal must give evidence of the artist's ability to assemble the elements into a unified composition.
5. Painting directly on natural brick and bare concrete present problems as painting the wall once necessitates it being repainted regularly.
6. Consideration should be given to types of paint and the application of an anti-graffiti coat. At present, the Park Board recommends a non-toxic anti-graffiti coating, such as Broda 501, available from CBR Products in North Vancouver.
7. Murals painted on plywood cannot usually be attached to solid concrete or stucco as this interferes with impermeability of the wall.
8. If plywood can be affixed, the recommended plywood is 'Crezon' to withstand the elements. All edges need to be filled and coated with several layers of paint including an alkyd primer and any protective top coating. Top edges should be finished with plastic moulding to prevent water from penetrating. A line of caulking should be applied between the plywood and the surface to which it is affixed.
9. The Park Board will install plywood provided conditions are met and costs are covered by the sponsoring organization. In order to supply a cost estimate, Park Board will need a detailed plan of the site and exact location of the mural, dimensions of the mural, finish of wall onto which it is being applied, thickness of plywood, linkages between plywood sheets and desired dates for installation.

Proposal Process

1. To start the process call the Park Board's Coordinator of Arts and Culture at 604-257-8495.
2. You will be asked to submit the following:
   • contact information for the sponsoring person or group proposing the mural
   • the specific location
   • objectives of the mural (what you would like to achieve)
   • concept sketch or description
   • a schedule for the project
3. The Park Board will assist you in developing a plan for community consultation. The following are some of the processes that may be required:
   • The board of directors of the community centre nearest the site will be asked to comment on the proposal. (Please note that most boards meet on a monthly basis and often not in the summer.)
   • The sponsoring group will distribute leaflets to neighbours within a two block radius of the proposed site. The leaflets will provide Park Board contact numbers and addresses for comment. (A standard leaflet format is available.) A minimum two week period must be allowed for community comment. Staff will collect the response and decide on the need for further process.
   • The sponsoring group will place a display in the community centre showing the nature, place and intent of the mural.
   • A City of Vancouver Development Permit will be required if the mural will face onto residential or commercial property. There is usually a fee requirement and the timeline for receiving a permit is approximately eight weeks. Information is available on the City's website: Land Use Regulations or call Zoning Inquiries at 604-873-7613 or 604-873-7461.
   • In the case of a waterfront or major park or one with a unique destination character, a more extensive process is needed including: a sign on the proposed site, a notice posted in nearby public facilities and possibly a public meeting or notice in the media.
4. A Technical Review Team from the Park Board will be established to consist of representatives from the District, Planning & Operations and the Arts. At this stage, a conditional approval to proceed may be given or reasons for not approving will be provided. Staff will try to identify alternate sites if siting is the issue.
5. If conditional approval is given, the applicant will proceed to implement the community consultation.
6. Following this process you will be asked to submit:
   • detailed working drawings showing dimensions and placement on the building or site, (Park Board may be able to supply an elevation plan of the building or structure)
   • materials or methods of installation
   • results of the community consultation process
   • the name of the artist and the anticipated process and timeline
   • maintenance plan

Review Criteria and Approval

1. The Park Board values community comment. If there is dissent the response will be communicated to the sponsor. At this point the artist can conceptualize and design modifications or select an alternative site and the same community consultation process will be followed.
2. The Park Board may refuse a mural proposal based on technical issues with the site. The site may then be changed and the same process for review will be followed.
3. Where there is concern voiced about the aesthetics, the project will be referred to the Public Art Committee of the City. A panel of artists, design professionals and community members will review the proposal and make recommendations. (The cost for this process will be borne by the sponsors and may amount to $500.)
4. Approval for the mural will be made by the staff technical team unless the project is referred to the Public Art Committee or a development permit process.
5. Mural proponents may appeal a decision to the Park Board.

Maintenance and Life Expectancy of the Mural

1. Where approval is given it will be with the condition that two years after installation a review of the condition and continued relevance of the mural may require its removal.
2. The Park Board will not maintain a mural. When a mural has either faded or been damaged by graffiti and the sponsor is unable to continue to maintain it, the Park Board may remove it. The Park Board may also remove any mural if the wall on which it is painted is taken down. The Park Board cannot commit to contacting the artist or sponsor in the event that a mural needs to be removed.
3. The length of time that a mural will last depends in part on the exposure and the paint used. If a mural receives graffiti and needs to be cleaned, this is the responsibility of the sponsor. If the graffiti is racist, sexist or hate-biased it must be removed immediately. Call 604-873-7161.
4. A maintenance plan and budget for the mural is needed. This plan will allocate responsibility for monitoring the condition of the mural on a regular basis, for decision-making related to repair and removal and for management of a repair fund held in trust by an associated non-profit association.

Suggestions for Community Groups Considering Murals

When community members select an artist, they should ask for a resume and look for specific experience with mural work and collaborative work with non-artists.

Some ideas...

• How does the artist ensure a successful aesthetic outcome while respecting the participation of community members?
• The artist develops an overall concept for the mural composition and provides the form or the elements in which participants have autonomy.
• The artist develops a scale drawing of the concept incorporating the elements contributed by participants.
• The palette is limited. A selected range of colours can provide unity to a larger composition.
• The artist assists in translation onto the wall surface and guides participants.
• The artist retains artistic and technical responsibility and finishes work to achieve 'artistic standards'.
• Many paint stores/companies offer paint, sometimes off-tints, for community murals at reduced cost or for free. Off-tints may have limited life-spans.

Discussions with artists who have had success in community process and aesthetics can be of assistance. Call the Park Board at 604-257-8495 or email Arts and Culture for referrals to artists willing to be consulted.

The Graffiti Management Program of the City of Vancouver

The City makes resources available to reduce graffiti on private walls. They organize murals on properties which have frequently been the target of graffiti. For more information call 604-871-6300.

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