The Champaign County African American Heritage Trail began taking shape in 2021, and has recently been expanding its footprint, and undergoing transformational projects. Now, the organizers are partnering with 40 North to “develop location-specific murals celebrating the lives and contributions of African Americans in the Champaign County area.” They’ve issued a call for proposals for artists interesting in creating a mural touching on one of these general themes: Education, African American “firsts” and pioneers, Power of Black women, Written word / lyrics, Possible other topics related to local African American history. The project is being funded by the Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation, and a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.
Artists should submit their proposals using this form, which also explains the specific parameters for consideration, by midnight on March 15th. Read more about the trail in our interview with committee co-chairs Angela M. Rivers and Dr. Barbara Suggs-Mason.