Evanston Arts Council Picks Three Finalists for Stadium Mural
The council recommended three artists for a mural on the new Ryan Field, with the Ryan Family making the final selection.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Painting
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The Evanston Arts Council recommended three artists to be considered for a mural on the southeast facade of the new Ryan Field stadium. The council reviewed 55 applications before reaching consensus on the finalists, and its recommendations will go to the Ryan Family for the final choice.
Why it matters
The mural is part of a 2023 community benefits agreement between the university and the city tied to the stadium's approval. The selection process gives local artists a public commission at a major new Evanston landmark.
Each of the three finalists receives a $2,500 fee to develop a site-specific proposal, and the winning artist receives an additional $17,500 for the 78.4-foot by 15.4-foot mural. The final artist will not be chosen until the Ryan Family makes its decision.
The players
Evanston Arts Council
The Evanston Arts Council is the city body that reviews public art projects and advises on artist selection in the community.
Ryan Family
The Ryan Family was the principal funder of the $800 million new Ryan Field stadium in Evanston.
The details
Finalists Trotter Alexander, Monica Rickert-Bolter, and Dwight White II must submit proposals for the stadium site by December 15. The winning artist must deliver a production-ready digital artwork for fabrication as a permanent architectural vinyl wrap, with installation handled by the university in late April or early May 2027.
Timeline
2023: Community benefits agreement reached between the university and city.
Monday, November 10, 2026: Arts Council recommended three finalists.
December 15, 2026: Finalists must submit stadium site proposals.
January 15, 2027: Winning artist expected to be notified.
Late April or early May 2027: Mural installation scheduled.
Culture Shift
The mural commission reflects how the 2023 community benefits agreement between Northwestern University and the City of Evanston is being carried out through public art rather than only infrastructure. It extends a local-hiring and community-investment model to a visible civic landmark.
Evanston residents will see the finished mural on the southeast facade of Ryan Field when installation takes place in late April or early May 2027. The commission gives a local or regional artist a $17,500 award plus a $2,500 development fee for the finalists.
The takeaway
Public art commissions tied to major development projects can give local artists visible work when community agreements are carried through. Readers following the stadium can watch for the final artist announcement in early 2027.
What happens next
Finalists must submit stadium site proposals by December 15, 2026, and the winning artist is expected to be notified January 15, 2027.
Further reading
For related coverage, see more on Painting in Evanston.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
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