Mural Design Contest — Official Rules
Big Couch is commissioning a new mural for the exterior of our building at 1045 Desire Street in the Bywater, and we want it designed by our community. This contest invites local artists to submit an original design that captures the spirit of Big Couch to mark our third anniversary.
This is a design contest only. The winning submission will be brought to life by a professional muralist, who will collaborate with the artist to adapt the design for the wall’s scale, surface, and paint palette.
Eligibility
- The contest is open to artists age 18 and over who live in the greater New Orleans area, including Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes.
- The contest is open to artists of any experience level. Professional, emerging, and student artists are all welcome.
- Individuals may submit multiple designs.
- Collaborative/team entries are welcome.
No AI-Generated Designs
Designs created in whole or in part using AI image generators will not be accepted. We’re looking for original artwork made by human hands and creative vision. This is a celebration of local artists. By submitting, you affirm that your design is entirely your own original work and was not AI-generated. Entries found to violate this rule will be disqualified.
What We’re Looking For
Designs should feel like Big Couch: warm, funny, a little unexpected, and rooted in community. Consider:
- A visual connection to comedy, improv, storytelling, or live performance
- A sense of place, which could be the Bywater or New Orleans more broadly
- Color and composition that will read well at mural scale on an exterior wall
- Original characters, imagery, or motifs, so no copyrighted or trademarked material
Big Couch Brand Colors
Submission Information
Complete the online submission form, which asks for the following:
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- A digital mockup of your design in .jpg, .png, or .pdf, in color, showing the full composition
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- A brief artist statement (150 words or fewer) describing your concept and how it connects to Big Couch
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- Your name, contact information, and a link to your portfolio or Instagram (if you have them)
Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
Selection & Judging
Entries will be reviewed by a panel consisting of Big Couch’s owner, the painter of the mural, and two to three other members of the Big Couch community. Designs will be judged on originality, visual impact, relevance to Big Couch and the Bywater community, and feasibility as a mural.
Big Couch reserves the right not to select a winner if no submission meets our standards.
Timeline
- Submission deadline: Thursday, September 3, 2026, 11:59 PM CT
- Winner announced: Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the Big Couch Binge closing awards ceremony
- Mural painting: to be scheduled with the muralist
Prize
The winning artist will receive a $250 Big Couch gift card, redeemable for shows, classes, or workshop, and they will be credited as the mural’s designer at the venue and in Big Couch’s marketing materials.
Rights & Usage
By submitting, you grant Big Couch a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, display, and promote your design (and photos of the finished mural) in its marketing, social media, and press materials.
The winning artist retains copyright of their original design and will be credited wherever the mural is featured.
The winning design may be adapted in scale, color, or detail as needed for mural execution, in consultation with the winning artist where possible.
Non-winning entries will not be used or reproduced by Big Couch without the artist’s separate permission.
Questions
Reach out to ellery@bigcouchnola.com or carrie@bigcouchnola.com with any questions about the contest.