Network standards

Quality & responsibility.

The Great Lakes Mural Care Network exists to protect murals, the artists who made them, and the workers who care for them. These are the standards we hold ourselves and our network partners to.

How we work

A conservation-minded approach, on every project.

Documentation-first process

Every project starts with photographs and a written record of the mural's current condition.

Property owner permission

We confirm permission from the wall's owner before any work is planned or scoped.

Artist coordination when possible

Where the original artist is known and reachable, we coordinate with them out of respect for the work.

Respect for original artwork

Treatments are scoped to preserve the artist's intent — not to overpaint, redesign, or 'improve' the mural.

Safety and access planning

Ladders, lifts, scaffolding, traffic, and weather are planned before crews arrive, not improvised on site.

Appropriate products and methods

Cleaners, coatings, paints, and removal methods are chosen for the specific substrate and paint system — not by default.

Conservation-minded approach

We favor reversible, least-invasive methods and document what was done so future work can build on it.

Qualified specialists for sensitive projects

Historic, deteriorated, or high-value murals are routed to specialists — not to whoever is available.

Not every applicant will be accepted.

Applying to the network is the start of a conversation. We consider experience, references, work samples, insurance, safety comfort, and the kinds of projects an applicant is realistically suited for. Acceptance into the network is not guaranteed, and is not a promise of ongoing work.

Not all mural work is appropriate for every worker.

Some projects require specialist conservation skills, lift or scaffold experience, additional insurance, or close coordination with the original artist. We match work to qualified network partners — and decline matches when a project isn't a responsible fit.

Questions about how we work, or about a specific project?

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