One of the first things the community needs to figure out is what type of collaboration they wish to have with an artist(s) or designer(s). Do you want all ages to help paint, including children? Do you want the design to be realistic or simplistic?

The budget might dictate this decision. Its most economical to the community to paint a mural themselves. A community could paint with the artist on Community Paint Days to reduce costs. If the mural is painted solely by the artist, the cost could be significantly higher but this depends on the chosen artist’s pricing. 

These four basic types of collaboration all assume that they are designed with community. If multiple members of the community are not part of the design process and the meetings aren’t not open to the public, then it shouldn’t be called a community mural. Depending on the type of collaboboration, the artist/designer might not actually paint the mural. 

Designed with Community
The artist/designer is paid for attending meetings and for creating a design based on the requests of the community.

  1. Painted by Community
    If painted by just the community, the design for the mural should be very simplistic and bold that even kids can help to paint. 
    Its recommended that the artist or designer also transfers the design to the wall (with or without community). Community Paint Days are good ways to gather folks together to paint.
  2. Community paints with Artist
    Community pays designer or artist for attending meetings and for creating a design based on the requests of the community. If painted with the community, the design for the mural should include simplistic areas that even kids can help to paint. Community Paint Days are good ways to gather folks together to paint. Artist will transfer the design (with or without help of community) to the wall. Artist is present on paint days and does additional painting and touch up as necessary.

  3. Painted by Artist(s) + An Assistant from the Community or local school
    One or more assistants from the community can be hired. Or students could be involved to paint with the direction of the lead artist as type of apprenticeship or intership. If painted by artist(s), the design can be complicated and more realistic or stylistic since.
  4. Designed with Community, Painted by Artist(s)
    If painted by artist(s) alone, the design can be complicated and more realistic or stylistic.