Calling all artists! Here’s a chance to design a mural for Ryan Field

Northwestern students now have an opportunity to leave their creative design on the new Ryan Field.

The University and the Ryan Family today launched a mural contest to find a unique piece of artwork that showcases students’ creativity and Purple Pride. Through March 1, all currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit an original design to enhance the student plaza outside of Ryan Field.

The winning design should be art in the broadest sense: big, bold and playful — something, for example, that inspires fans to stop for a photo or selfie.

At approximately 80 feet wide by 15 feet high, the mural will provide a colorful backdrop for pregame and community gatherings. It will be visible from Central Street — as fans approach the southwest corner of the stadium.

What you should know

• The submission deadline is Sunday, March 1.
• Students can submit more than one proposal.
• The winner will be selected by Tuesday, March 31.
• The stadium’s design firm will transform the digital submission into mural format and it will be installed before the opening of the stadium this fall.
• The artist can sign the winning artwork.

Review contest rules and check out a list of FAQs on the Rebuild Ryan Field website.

As Ryan Field construction continues, Northwestern Now asked Pat and Lydia Ryan to share more about what to expect outside the stadium on gamedays, the student experience and what inspired the mural contest.

We’ve talked about the experience inside the stadium on gamedays, but what can we expect outside?

The new Ryan Field will be wrapped in nearly 200,000 square feet of festival grounds to host student, family and community events both on gamedays and throughout the year. The goal is to provide something for everyone whether it’s a football game, a great student party or even a holiday festival for the Evanston community.

What is being planned for students on gamedays?

The stadium will feature a Great Hall for students with an adjacent plaza. Every game will feature a party planned by the Wildside, as well as student-run tailgates. Inside there will be some exciting surprises, including a one-of-a-kind student section in the end zone.

Where did the idea for the mural come from?

We were inspired by a very popular Instagram wall in our Chicago neighborhood. People came from all over the city to take pictures there and share them on social media. The idea to find a student-artist was born during the early stages of stadium planning back in 2020. But as the design evolved, the physical space for this particular piece grew, and our original idea for an Instagram wall became a large mural instead.

Ryan Field is a place for all Northwestern students. So, we really wanted to have a student help make it memorable and beautiful — from the moment you approach the stadium.

Learn more about how to participate in the contest by visiting the Rebuild Ryan Field website.