Gateway Arch National Park Research Center Mural Competition

Gateway Arch National Park Archives

The Archives Reading Room at Gateway Arch Research Center is a new space dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the park. Located at the Old Post Office in downtown St. Louis, the Research Center will open by appointment starting October 1, 2025. 

The park's archival collection was created in 1988, when Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA) helped fund its creation to support the National Park Service. Until then, materials had been collected without organization or a permanent home since the 1930s. The collection now includes thousands of items: drawings, photos, reports, maps, letters, and more. 

These records tell the story of how the park was imagined, planned, built, and managed over time. They cover everything from the original design competition that resulted in the construction of the Gateway Arch, documents related to key figures involved in the park's creation, and other records that explore topics related to the nation's westward expansion. The opening of the Research Center will make it easier for students, researchers, and other curious parties to explore the history of the Gateway Arch National Park. 

Mural Competition Themes

Artists are invited to submit work inspired by one or more of the following themes instrumental to the development of the Gateway Arch and the Park’s interpretive mission:

• The Design, Development, and/or Construction of the Gateway Arch
• The Old Courthouse as a Crucible for Change
  • Dred and Harriet Scott
  • Virginia Minor
  • U.S. Citizenship
• The Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers
• Thomas Jefferson's Vision of the West 
  • Louisiana Purchase
  • Lewis and Clark Expedition
  • The Indigenous Perspective

The mural space is located in the St. Louis Old Post Office, 815 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63101.

Dimensions for the mural wall are 258 inches x 79.5 inches. 

Artists interested in viewing the mural space are invited to see it by appointment only on July 8, 11, or 16. Contact the curator, Jennifer Clark, at jennifer_clark@nps.gov to set up an appointment. 

Rules and Regulations

Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA) offers a $5,000 cash award plus reimbursement up to $2,500  for approved materials to create an indoor mural for the Gateway Arch National Park Research Center at 815 Olive Street, St. Louis. The competition is free to enter, and multiple entries by the same artist are welcome.  The selected artist will sign a letter of agreement confirming all terms before starting work. 

Eligibility and Mural Requirements: Artists must be 18 or older and reside in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area to ensure site access. The mural must be original, scalable for large indoor installation, and not created using artificial intelligence. The selected artist will install the mural on painted drywall 79.5 inches high by 258 inches wide and must complete work on site during business hours by September 15, 2025, or forfeit the award. 

Submitted designs must be inspired by one or more identified themes. Artists are encouraged to interpret these creatively while maintaining historical and educational relevance. The mural will be a long-term but not permanent installation. The artist will have no rights to retrieve the mural after the display period.

Ownership, Usage, and Licensing: The selected artist retains copyright to the final art but grants JNPA and the National Park Service (NPS) a royalty-free, unlimited license to display, reproduce, publicize, and archive the mural for educational,  interpretive, and historical purposes with typical artist attribution. This includes use of images in print, digital  communications, and products sold in JNPA’s nonprofit park stores. This license applies only to the final  artwork, not to sketches or concepts submitted. 

Compensation and Reimbursement: The $5,000 award is paid upon completion. Up to $2,500 reimbursement for approved supplies is available. The artist must provide all materials, including paint, brushes, drop cloths, and other essential single-use items. Reimbursable expenses may include equipment rental and vehicle mileage (up to 150 miles/day at the IRS charitable rate). All reimbursement requests must have itemized documentation. Meals, lodging, and hired help are not reimbursed. The artist is responsible for any tax liability on payments. 

Artist Responsibilities: 

• Sign a letter of agreement before starting
• Complete the mural onsite by Monday, September 15, 2025
• Acquire and bring all necessary materials and tools
• Follow safety, preparation, and quality standards
• Coordinate with Gateway Arch National Park staff for scheduling
• Submit documentation for approved reimbursements

Timeline: 

Application Requirements:

1. Completed Application Form - Via submission portal 
2. Mural Sketch - Digital sketch or scanned illustration of original design concept 
3. Artist Statement - Up to 300 words describing concept and theme reflection
4. Work Samples (optional but highly encouraged) - Up to three examples of prior mural or large-scale work

Selection Criteria: Submissions will be reviewed anonymously based on a variety of factors including artistic quality and originality; relevance to historical and park themes; feasibility and timeline adherence; mural/public art experience; and suitability for indoor display. 

All applicants must complete an entry form. The application will open on June 23 and close at 4:00 p.m. CST on July 25. 

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM

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