Rendering of the exterior west-facing entrance. (Image provided by Scott Edwards Architecture)
The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), in partnership with Multnomah County, invites artists or artist teams to submit qualifications for a site-specific interior mural at the Rockwood Community Health Center (RCHC) located at 2020 SE 182nd Ave., Portland, OR. The budget available for the artwork comes from Multnomah County’s Percent for Art Program and is approximately from $10,000. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
About Rockwood Community Health Center
RCHC serves the Rockwood/Centennial neighborhoods, one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse areas in Multnomah County. The clinic provides integrated, all-ages care, including primary care, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services. Renovations to the facility are underway, with construction anticipated to be completed by September 2026.
Art Opportunity Interior
Stairwell Mural
This project invites artists or artist teams to submit a digital artwork that will be scaled and adapted into a site-specific mural for the interior stairwell at RCHC, connecting the public areas of the clinic. The stairwell is a transitional space used by patients, staff, and visitors moving between the main lobby on the first floor to the Pharmacy and Dental Clinic on the lower level. As a result, the stairwell is an active, highly visible space, accessible to clinic visitors and viewable from the front lobby and common areas.
Because this is a healthcare setting, the environment must remain sensitive to the needs of patients, visitors, and staff. To help minimize potential negative emotional responses, the interior color palette and integrated artwork throughout the building will follow trauma-informed design principles.* The artwork for the interior stairwell should align with these guidelines.
Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from natural forms—such as mountains, rivers, landscapes, and other environmental elements—as possible conceptual starting points. These themes can serve as grounding visual metaphors that complement the clinic’s architectural character and sense of place, while allowing for thoughtful artistic interpretation.
Selected artists will receive information about the interior accent colors and materials used throughout the renovated space. The artwork should demonstrate responsiveness to the site, thoughtful integration with the established color palette and architectural motifs, and consideration of the diverse communities served by the clinic.
*Trauma-informed design guidelines are available at the end of this document.
- Location
- Interior stairwell at Rockwood Community Health Center (See project photo and floor plans for context)
- Visibility
- The mural will be experienced by patients, staff, and visitors as they move through the stairwell between floors.
- Approximate Dimensions
- Three Walls – 16’7” L x between 8’ and 10’ H (two larger walls) x 5’ W x ~16’3” (approximate)
Project Goals
Artists are encouraged to develop an artwork design that aligns clearly with the goals outlined below. Whether it has representational and/or abstract elements, the artwork should demonstrate how it supports a welcoming and healing environment while conceptually reflecting community, place, and shared experience. An artwork that reflects strong artistic practice and allows for open interpretation are preferred over literal or overly detailed representations.
Artwork for Rockwood Community Health Center should:
- Support a welcoming, calm, and healing environment
- Be appropriate for a healthcare setting serving patients of all ages
- Integrate with the clinic’s architecture and interior environment
- Reflect care, dignity, and respect for the diverse communities served (ensure that the concept thoughtfully acknowledges community presence—even when approached through abstract or nature-based imagery).
The Rockwood/Centennial area is among the most culturally and ethnically diverse communities in Multnomah County. Artists are encouraged to consider:
- Cultural diversity and lived experience
- Care, healing, and access
- Intergenerational and community presence
No single artwork is expected to represent all identities or experiences. The selection panel values thoughtful, respectful approaches grounded in artistic practice, rather than literal or exhaustive representation.
Budget
The selected artist/artist team will receive $10,000 for this opportunity to create a digital artwork inclusive of project expenses such as artist/s fees, design, and engagement with the project team.
The budget is inclusive of:
- Artist fees
- Design development
- Coordination with contractors, as needed
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to artists based in Oregon or Washington with strong ties to Multnomah County. If applying as a team, the lead artist applying must be based in Oregon or Washington. RACC is committed to engaging new communities of artists and expanding the range of artistic and cultural expression represented in the County’s public art collection.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel including artists, clinic representatives, community members, with the guidance of RACC staff. Shortlisted artists may be invited to interviews or to develop a proposal. The selected artist/artist team will be presented with contextual information, including themes and environmental considerations gathered from staff and site users, to help inform the final design and ensure alignment with the project goals and architectural environment.
How to Apply
All application materials must be submitted through the RACC Opportunity Portal, an online application system. Applicants will need to create an account, or log into their existing account at racc.smapply.org. If you are applying as a team, please assign one person to apply and be the contact on behalf of the team.
For first-time users of the portal, view a brief video learning how to register here.
Application Materials
- Statement of interest. Based on the information given, please address the following:
- your interest in this project by sharing how you see your work connecting to this project’s mission and values and/or the communities this center serves;
- how your artwork would engage with the building’s trauma informed design guidelines;
- if you are applying as a team, describe how you anticipate working together;
- There are two options in submitting these responses:
- Written Statement: 3000 characters or less
- Oral Statement: Upload a video/voice recording no longer than 2 minutes
- Up to 8 images of past work These images are the primary way the quality of your art work is evaluated. Provide no more than two images per artwork. For each artwork, please provide title, year produced, budget, media, dimensions, location. Conceptual information is desirable but not required.
- Artist Bio/Resume
Once you have started your application, you can save after each step and sign out—your application will be saved as a draft that you can continue to work on as needed. Once you hit “Submit,” your application is final. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions during the process.
Submissions due: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 11:59 PM.
Trauma-Informed Design Guidance
This project applies a trauma-informed lens intended to support patient well-being. Trauma-informed artwork does not need to be bland or simplistic. It can be conceptually strong and visually engaging while remaining emotionally accessible and supportive within high-sensitivity environments.
In this context, trauma-informed design emphasizes:
- Emotional safety and visual grounding
- Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
- Open interpretation rather than prescriptive narratives
- Imagery, scale, and composition that contribute to calm and stability
Artists should consider:
- How color, composition, scale, and imagery contribute to calm and safety
- How the artwork functions within a transitional stairwell environment
- How conceptual strength can coexist with emotional accessibility
Artists may propose representational, abstract, landscape-inspired, or hybrid approaches, provided they clearly articulate how the work supports a trauma-informed and inclusive environment aligned with the project goals.
SCHEDULE
- Call Opens: Thursday, February 26, 2026
- Call Closes: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
- Panel Review: March – May
- Artist Selection: Early June
- Design Phase: June – early August
- Fabrication / Installation: August-September
Questions & Accessibility
For questions about this opportunity or application assistance, contact:
Mario Mesquita, Director of Advocacy & Engagement | Project Manager
mmesquita@racc.org
If you would prefer these materials in another language please contact the RACC project team for translation services.
Interpretation services are available, please email info@racc.org.
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