This process considers the specific needs of each site and is informed by community input, research, and conversations about cultural representation, local history, storytelling, and artistic style. Our Executive Director and two curators work together to create an initial long list of artists for the Festival.

This list is drawn from 1000+ of portfolio submissions we receive each year. Artists are then shortlisted for specific walls and presented to property owners, funders, and tenants for approval.

Curators focus mainly on the quality of the artist’s work, their experience with large- to mid-scale projects, and their design and composition skills.

Final selections are based on past work and portfolios to ensure the Festival reflects a diverse range of artists and artistic styles across Chilliwack.

Applications for artists are open from January 6 - January 27, 2026 at midnight (PST).

All artists are paid fairly for their participation in the Festival. The Festival provides all supplies and equipment.. Final artist fees are based on the size and scope of the mural, as well as expected travel needs. Artist fees typically range between CAD $1,500 and $4,500 per mural, depending on the project.

Payment is made once the mural is successfully completed within the agreed timeline.

What’s included:

• Artist fee (paid in Canadian dollars)

• Hotel or homestay accommodation

• Airport pickup from YVR

• Daily hospitality per diem

• Paint and materials within the agreed budget

• Lift or scaffolding, as required

What’s not included:

• Flights or travel to Chilliwack

• Food and drinks beyond the per diem

• Additional or personal travel expenses

CMF provides all supplies and most equipment needed to create the murals. We work with several local suppliers, including Dulux, Layout, Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore. To ensure availability, paint orders must be submitted at least four weeks before the artist arrives.

Artists may also choose to purchase their own supplies and have them shipped in advance. These costs will be reimbursed by the Festival. Paint budgets vary depending on the size of the wall.

The Chilliwack Mural Festival cannot cover travel for most artists. However, we do arrange accommodation and airport transportation for visiting artists. If you are selected, please only book your travel after your design has been approved and your painting dates have been confirmed by CMF staff.

Artists are encouraged to attend leading up to the festival in August. There will also be opportunities to host workshops for all ages. All additional options will be compensated for appropriately. The painting will take place between July 15-August 16 with the completion of the mural by August 16. Selected artists will be scheduled to paint based on their availability.

We have worked with many emerging artists over the years who have gone on to build careers in mural work. Because we have limited capacity to provide on-site training, only artists with previous canvas art experience will be considered for the Festival.

We encourage emerging artists to get involved with CMF as temporary exhibitors during the event.

We will select both professional and emerging artists, with a mix of local, regional, national, and international representation.

Successful applicants will be contacted before the end of April for each year.

The Festival includes both private and public walls. All public walls must be approved by the City of Chilliwack, while private walls only need approval from the building owner.

When applying, building owners can share the artistic styles they’d like to see on their private walls. The Festival uses these preferences to match artists with the most suitable walls.

CMF does not create murals for commercial advertising purposes. If a building owner or tenant wants to have a say in which artist is selected, they must sponsor the mural.

Walls are selected with the following considerations: accessibility for artists, size, composition, tour route, exposure, safety and funding availability (however, funding is not necessarily a barrier).

elected artists will be sent a contract for review.

Once signed, artists will have eight weeks to provide a rough sketch or concept, a bio, and a headshot. After these items are received, artists will coordinate their painting schedule and supply orders with the Artistic Director. Artists must follow the agreed-upon painting schedule, as resources need to be booked well in advance.

Artists are paid upon successful completion of their mural.

Anyone who creates a mural that follows the City of Chilliwack’s public art policies is welcome to take part in the Festival. Your work can be featured in the celebration and on our official map.

Get in touch!

Murals must not include gratuitous violence, racism, or hateful content, and cannot feature business signage, logos, advertising, or political or religious messages.

All WorkSafe BC regulations must be followed, including proper training for elevated platforms, fall protection, and a current respirator fit test for artists using spray paint.

CMF is funded by municipal, provincial, and federal agencies, so we must follow all Provincial Health Orders as required by the Province of BC. [Click here for the full regulations.]