Phoenix Launches Student Mural Contest for Cholla Library

Local students in grades 7-12 are invited to submit mural designs for a permanent installation at the historic library branch.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Painting

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring stylized saguaro cacti and desert flora, representing a mural design for a community library. — Phoenix officials have opened a mural design contest for students in grades 7-12 to celebrate the Cholla Library's upcoming 50th anniversary. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and the Phoenix Public Library have opened a mural design competition for students in grades 7-12. The winning artwork will be installed on the exterior of Cholla Library to celebrate the facilitys upcoming 50th anniversary.

Why it matters

This competition supports local neighborhood revitalization efforts while providing youth an opportunity to contribute to their community identity. The project also honors the long-standing role of the library as it approaches a major milestone in 2027.

Eligible participants must reside within the Cholla Library service area and be enrolled in grades 7-12. All final submissions are due by December 11, 2026, at 5 p.m.

The players

Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture

This municipal agency oversees the integration of arts and cultural programming into the public life and infrastructure of Phoenix.

Phoenix Public Library

This city-run institution manages a network of library branches that provide educational resources and community programming to Phoenix residents.

Cholla Library

Located in Phoenix, this public library branch serves the local community and is currently preparing for its 50th year of operations.

The details

Submissions must feature themes centered on the Sonoran Desert and neighborhood pride while excluding political content, human depictions, or AI-generated imagery. A committee will first review entries before the public selects the winning design via a vote.

Artwork submissions are due by 5 p.m. on December 11, 2026.
Cholla Library reaches its 50th anniversary in May 2027.

Culture Shift

This mural project follows the pattern set by broader city revitalization efforts, such as the $1 billion investment in The Metropolitan development, to improve the local landscape. Such initiatives signal a push to integrate community-focused public art into neighborhood growth.

Students living in the Cholla Library service area can now begin drafting their mural designs to meet the December submission deadline. The project serves as an active way for young residents to shape the visual aesthetic of a frequently visited neighborhood resource.

The takeaway

Engaging youth in public art projects fosters a sense of ownership over local civic spaces and preserves community pride. Residents interested in the outcome of this competition should watch for public voting announcements following the committee review process.