Creating murals in urban public spaces – the role of stakeholders and the process

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the process of mural creation, identify the main actors involved, and define their roles within this process. Although murals have become an inseparable part of contemporary urban public spaces in recent years, little is still known about which entities collaborate and are responsible for creating murals in these spaces, as well as how the process itself unfolds. While the connections between artistic activity and space are increasingly recognized, public art remains a rarely explored subject in geographical research. Therefore, a literature review was conducted, along with 18 in-depth individual interviews with the actors involved in the mural creation process. The research revealed that this process is a complex, multi-stage endeavor that requires the cooperation of various actors and is also fraught with uncertainties, doubts, and the need for negotiation. The article analyzes the process of mural creation, with particular emphasis on the entities that influence the final form of the artwork. It also highlights the stages of implementing this form of public art, describing them from the perspectives of both the creators and the audience. As part of the study, five phases of the mural creation process and four groups of actors involved were identified.