2026 SBS Mural Project

"Kaleidoscope" street mural by Talisa Almonte

Opportunity

The 31st Avenue Open Street Collective seeks artists to design and execute at least four asphalt murals on 31st Avenue Open Street. These murals are an opportunity to enhance the neighborhood’s vitality, celebrate the unique culture of Astoria and foster collaboration among merchants and residents of this commercial corridor. This is a public-facing project made possible by a New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Public Realm Grant and done in conjunction with New York City’s Department of Transportation (DOT). These murals will be installed over several weeks in April 2026.

Artists will be asked to submit a portfolio of their work. The top 12-15 artists will be selected as semi-finalists, at which time they will be provided with the results of a community outreach project called “We’re Making a Mural, Y’all” to use as inspiration for their submission of a mural design. The 4-5 winners will be selected from their designs.

Site & Materials

  • The asphalt murals will be installed on the pedestrian areas of 31st Avenue Open Street:

    • South side of 31st Ave between 33rd Street & 34th Street (max. 2,097 sq ft )

    • North side of 31st Ave between 33rd Street & 34th Street (max.1,716 sq ft )

    • South side of 31st Ave between 34th Street & 35th Street (max. 1,650 sq ft )

    • North side of 31st Ave between 34th Street & 35th Street (max. 2,396 sq ft)

  • The potential fifth location would be the northwest corner of 31st Avenue & 33rd Street.

  • All artists will use the same color palette (up to 6 colors) for ease of installation and cost savings.

  • The site will require an initial primer coat before designs are applied. Note that the asphalt surface may be uneven with loose dirt in areas. (The 31st Ave Open Street Collective will seek to extensively wash and clean the site before installation.)

  • The murals are for the asphalt only and will need to accommodate existing street features, including granite blocks and bike corrals, as these will not be moved during installation.

  • Our Artist-in-Residence, Talisa Almonte, will be available to help guide artists through the design and installation process.

Artist Fees

The 31st Avenue Open Street Collective will cover the cost of paint and basic materials for the installation of the murals. Each artist will be awarded an artist fee of $2,300.

Artist Eligibility

The project is open to all artists, studios, community organizations, etc. The main applicant must be 18 years old or over. Artists with ties to Astoria, Queens or New York City are highly encouraged to apply. No prior asphalt mural work is required.

Application

The application consists of three parts: general information (name & contact info), questions about the artist, and sharing of examples of their work. Use the link at the bottom of the page or head directly to https://31OS.org/sbs-mural-form to submit your application.

Timeline

Portfolio Submission opens: October 1, 2025

Portfolio Submission closes: October 31, 2025

Semi-Finalists selected: November 8th, 2025

Semi-Finalists submit mural design: December 1, 2025

Finalists selected: December 15, 2025

Install: April 2026

Background

31st Avenue Open Street Collective

Founded in 2020, the 31st Ave Open Street Collective is an all-volunteer group and 501(c)3 nonprofit that works with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and The Horticultural Society to provide a pop-up public space along 31st Avenue in Astoria, Queens, with free programming, vendor markets, live performances, outdoor seating and more, every weekend from April to December.

NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)

SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 888-SBS-4NYC.

SBS Public Realm Grant

The Public Realm Grant seeks to provide funds to eligible nonprofit organizations that intend to address commercial district needs related to improvements in the public realm. Grants support place-based projects to design, produce, and install creative streetscape improvements on commercial corridors that respond to local conditions and opportunities related to lighting, public art, or wayfinding. Building off of the Making New York Work for Everyone Action Plan, this program recognizes that public space programming, art, and tactical transformations can play a pivotal role in enlivening neighborhoods and fostering commercial revitalization.

We’re Making a Mural, Y’all!

To ensure the murals reflect the authentic voice of the neighborhood, 31st Ave Open Street Collective teamed up with Queens Collaborative, Almonte Studio and Isto Barton to host four community tabling sessions in September and October 2025 on the Open Street called “We’re Making a Mural, Y’all!” Inspired by Barton’s We’re Making a Book, Y’all! project, volunteers invited neighbors to quickly draw or write their response to the prompt, “What makes Astoria home?” The community’s contributions will be gathered into a digital book to provide artists with inspiration for their final murals.