Upcoming Projects
“Adams County: Stories Past, Present, and Future” with Adams County Historical Society Beyond the Battle Museum
The Adams County Arts Council is currently accepting applications for our inaugural mural project: “Adams County: Stories Past, Present, and Future.” This project will result in a large mural on the brick entry way wall of the Adams County Historical Society’s Beyond the Battle Museum, to be dedicated and celebrated in conjunction with The PEOPLE Project 2026, a storytelling and performance event on the same theme. Beginning in 2025, this project will engage Adams County residents, collect their unique stories, and invite them to contribute to creation of smaller works of public art to serve as inspiration for the contracted mural artist’s conception and design of the larger ACHS mural. Community engagement events throughout the year leading to the reveal of the mural will be part of Adams County’s schedule of celebrations for PA/America 250.
Questions about the application?
Email us, and we will publish questions and answers on this page.
Q. What is the Arts Council’s budget for this project?
A. As this is our first big project for this program, we are relying on input from experienced mural artists and/or artist teams to help us outline costs for a project of this size as part of the applications process. While we have identified a team of founding program sponsors and have secured some grant funding to support this project (which is the first in a continuing program), we welcome your best suggestions according to the process you choose for creation and installation as well as the anticipated time it will take to participate in community engagement activities.
Q. How long will the installed mural be maintained?
A. All of the anticipated murals through this program (including this one) will be decided individually with the site location. As of now, the Adams County Historical Society has committed to keeping and maintaining this mural for the foreseeable future.
Q. Can more than one budget be included with the application?
A. We encourage applicants to provide as much comprehensive information in their proposals as possible. Because we are relying on the expertise of the artists applying, we welcome applicants to submit budgets for different services and prices if it is deemed appropriate. In addition to the proposed wall in the RFQ, there is an additional wall on the south-facing side of the museum that could be another potential site for the mural. This site is larger (approximately 1,000 sq. Feet, and would require an Alumalite or similar solution to installing a mural on the aluminum/steel powder coated siding).
Q. Is there a preference for applying as a team or as an individual?
A. We have no preference as far as artist teams or individuals for this project. It is up to individuals/teams if they would like to submit one application or have all individuals submit an application with a budget that includes hiring additional artists for the project.
Q. Are community paint days expected of just this project or all future projects?
A. Community paint days are one avenue of community engagement that can be included in this project; however, alternative creative engagement ideas are welcome. Future projects may or may not include community engagement, depending on who is commissioning the mural.
Q. Will future locations be in the historic district of Gettysburg/have additional permits/approval for murals?
A. It is possible that future mural locations could be located in the historic district; however, this first project is not. Representatives from our committee have presented and discussed the potential for mural/public art projects within the historic district with the Borough Council.
Q. If I was involved in The People Project 2024, am I still eligible to apply for this mural?
A. We encourage all applications, even if you have been involved in past ACAC programs/projects. This is the first of a series of murals that will result in a rural mural tour. Having your application and portfolio on file from this project will be helpful for us to reach out in the future if your style better matches a future project.
Q. How big is the wall?
A. The area of the wall listed in the RFQ is approximately 300-400 sq. ft. At the Q&A meeting, artists posed possibilities for wrapping around the sides of the building, or continuing work inside the building. We want to hear your creative, think-outside-the-box ideas. The committee would also entertain ideas for a second wall at the south side of the building, which would require additional fundraising (on our part) and an Alumalite (or similar) installation factored into a proposed budget. That wall is approximately 1,000 sq. ft. We are looking for creative ideas that will be discussed/negotiated/developed as this project evolves on the theme “Stories Past, Present and Future” as it applies to people who have lived and/or worked (and continue to live and/or work) in Adams County.
