The mission of the National Academy of Design is to support and promote the creation and restoration of public murals in the United States, honoring the legacy of muralist Edwin Austin Abbey NA. The Academy aims to foster accessibility, engage local audiences, and inspire community dialogue through the arts.
The Abbey Mural Prize supports projects focused on the creation or restoration of public murals across the United States. Its key guiding principles include promoting accessibility, serving local audiences, and inspiring community dialogue. The selection criteria for the grant emphasize the conceptual strength or compelling impact justification, the applicants' capability to deliver a high-quality outcome, project feasibility within the budget, and the project's connection to the impacted community. Projects should start within a year of the award date and be completed within 18 months. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, with a total of up to $125K awarded annually. The jury may award full or partial funding to successful applicants.