Call to Artists: Reckoning and Remembrance Louisiana Native Guards Commemorative Mural

Project Overview

The Andre Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice and the Krewe of Red Beans invites New Orleans’ muralists to submit proposals for a major commemorative mural honoring the Louisiana Native Guards — the first Black Union soldiers officially mobilize in the United States. This is a rare opportunity to create enduring public art on a landmark building in the Bywater neighborhood that will be seen by tens of thousands of New Orleanians and visitors each year.

Project Scope

  • Commission of 1 permanent, site-specific mural
  • Location:  3300 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70117
  • Durable, low-maintenance, context-responsive work
  • Community engagement required in design process
  • Expected Completion by November 6, 2026

This commission is for a permanent mural with a lifespan of 20+ years. Artists must propose materials, fabrication, and installation methods suitable for New Orleans’ climate and changing weather patterns. For example, including heat, humidity, heavy rainfall, flooding, and storms. Artworks must be durable, structurally sound, long-lasting, and low maintenance. Materials and maintenance plans will be reviewed and approved by The Andre Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice and the Krewe of Red Beans as part of the design proposal.

 Artwork Parameters

  • 1 permanent mural
  • We encourage artists to explore primary source imagery, period photography, and the rich visual culture of New Orleans’ African diaspora traditions in developing their proposals. The aesthetic should be rooted in the history and feel of New Orleans — vibrant, layered, and alive. Wall size is approx. 2,011.5 sq ft (across multiple sections)

Site Details   Location: 3300 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70117

Eligibility

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Be 18+ and legally authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Reside in Orleans Parish or the greater New Orleans metro area
  • Meet all contractual obligations and adhere to the timeline provided.

We welcome proposals from individual artists and artist teams. We especially encourage applications from New Orleans-based artists and artists with ties to the communities whose history this mural honors.

Information Sessions

Interest artists are invited to attend artist information meetings on-site at Beanlandia

Monday, August 10th and Friday, August 14th.

Learn More and Apply

View and Download Here: FINAL RRLCM Artist Call

Apply Via Submittable

Application Period: August 4 – August 21, 2026 at 11:59pm CT

Artists who are interested in submitting to the Request for Proposals are encouraged to contact The Andre Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice and the Krewe of Red Beans with any questions about the project, its scope, or requirements, or how to complete an application after reviewing the RFQ.

Founder of Krewe of Red Beans and Beanlandia – Devin De Wulf, devin@kreweofredbeans.org

Project Manager at The Andre Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice – Shaddai Livingston, shaddai@accneworleans.com