3rd Edition
In January 2024, NATO unveiled its first public mural, created by street artists in Vilnius, Lithuania, in honor of the 2023 summit, symbolizing NATOs mission for collective defense. The competition moved on to Washington D.C. to commemorate NATOs 75th anniversary. This year, the baton is passed to The Hague, where young talents have the chance to design a work for the NATO summit.
The mural competition is part of NATOs #ProtectTheFuture campaign, a cross-alliance engagement program for youth that emphasizes the importance of freedom, security, democratic values, and peace.
The first mural of this NATO competition, titled 'Life Under a Peaceful Sky', was designed by young Lithuanian artist Žygimantas Amelinas and can be found on a wall next to the Reformatory Square in Vilnius. The second NATO mural, titled 'Security Through Cooperation', was designed by young Danish artist Eske Tourbourg, painted by D.C. mural artist Hamilton Glass and is now on display in downtown Washington D.C., near the Walter E. Washington Conference Centre.
Criteria
The competition is open to anyone aged 18 to 35 from one of the 32 NATO countries, including aspiring artists and anyone interested in sharing a visual design under this years theme, 'Maintaining our Shared Future'. Artists are encouraged to create an optical illusion by using three-dimensional (3D) impressions on a two-dimensional horizontal surface and are invited to submit their idea for a street mural on the NATO website by March 31, 2025.
Announcement
One of the jury members is Michiel Corver, director of The Hague Street Art. The winning artwork will be unveiled in June 2025 in The Hague, visible to world leaders and representatives of the summit.