A non-exhaustive list of the things experience has taught me to consider when deciding to accept a mural project:

 Cause and relationship to the project and client

• Is the cause or mission something I believe in, identify with, and or wish to further its goal?
• Does the client employ people with criminal backgrounds?
• Does the client employ minorities?
• Am I passionate about this project?

Challenge

• Is this project new and challenging for me?
• Is this an opportunity to learn something new or do something I haven’t done?

Costs and scope of the project

• Material
• Execution (per square foot)
• Design 
• Labor
• Travel
• Mileage
• Time
• Gasoline
• Equipment and/or equipment rental (may require insurance)
  • scissor lift
  •  boom
  •  scaffolding
  • U-Haul  ($20 rental and .69 cent per mile)
    • To and From

Impact

• Content
• Message
• Longevity
• Demographic
• Example

Intellectual property and creative license

• Is this an original design?
  • Have I produced it before?

• Did the client create the design?
• Did the client borrow the image or elements of it from another artist or elsewhere?
• Will I have the freedom to create what I want?
• What are my client-prescribed creative or design limitations?

Level of involvement

• Will I be the lead artist?
• Will I be provided artistic credit?
• Will I be credited for being a lead artist?
• Will I be consulting?
• Will I be designing?
• Will I be supervising?
• Will I be teaching?

Opportunity for community engagement and involvement

• Will the project permit or require community outreach and input?
• Is the client willing to allow community involvement?
• Potential for community involvement

Payment

• Will I be compensated financially?
• Will I be compensated at the price I proposed or one negotiated by the client?
• How much difference is there between my proposed price and the client-negotiated price?
• Am I being offered a bump price:  A price above my proposed price that would encourage me to reorganize or clear my calendar for this project?
• Am I being asked to work for free?
• Are there alternatives to me working for free?
  • Explore crowdfunding
  • Seek sponsors
  • Pursue grant funding
  • Contact Erie Arts and Culture for guidance
  • Small Fundraisers
  • Donations in kind
    • Letter to me required
  • Teaching artist residency
    • I am a teaching artist with Erie Arts and Culture. Erie Arts and Culture will pay a portion of my fee to teach a community residency. I am always willing to turn a mural project into a teaching artist residency, where, in addition to rendering a mural, I simultaneously teach the mural-making process to the community involved.
• Will accepting this project at the client-negotiated price (or working for free) negatively impact other artists’ ability to make a living?
• Am I being compensated in alternative ways?
  • Donation in kind
  • Voucher
  • Credit (store credit for example)
  • Gift card(s)

Potential for collaborating

• Will there be an opportunity to work with, teach, and/or learn from another artist?

Methods of Documentation

• Social Media
• Newsprint

• Interview / Quotes
• Photographing / Video
• Dedication Ceremony

Referrals

• Will this project lead to future projects and opportunities?
• Will the client provide a written testimonial?
• Will the client allow me to include them as a reference when applying for future projects?

Safety and logistics

• What is the potential for adverse police interaction and arrest?
  • Painting and presence on location after hours
  • Arrival and departure of location after hours
  • Mistaken identity
  • Dissatisfaction with subject matter and content
  • Will the client write a letter authorizing me and my assistants to be on the premises for the duration of the project?
  • Will the client provide me with a telephone number to a person (not a voicemail) I can reach at all times during the project?
• Is there a likelihood of being bit by a dog or accosted?
• If storing my mural supplies on-site, is there a likelihood of supplies being stolen or supplies damaging the space they’re stored in?
• Is the mural near power lines or involve working around chemicals?
• Is there proper lighting in case of painting after hours or will I need to provide my own?
  • Are there electrical outlets that would support plug-in lighting if I need to provide my own?
• Is there proper ventilation?
• Is there potential for overspray and or paint damage to automobiles or surrounding property near the project?
  • Parked or moving cars
• Eating habits
• Smoking
• Supply storage
• Restroom
• Water source

Scheduling

• Time commitment
• Time for completion

• Will accepting this project come at the expense of other projects?
• Will accepting this project come at the expense of my family relationships?
• Will accepting this project come at the expense of my mental and or physical health?
• Weather and season
  • Winter
    • Driving on icy roads
  • Spring
  • Fall
  • Summer
    • Allergies
    • Sun
    • Mosquitoes
    • Ants

Surface and medium

• Inside or outside
• Prep work involved
  • Power wash
  • Bricks repointed
  • Hazard abatement
• Polytab
• Bucket paint or spray paint