Rural Murals Grant Program

The Rural Murals Grant Program, funded by the Kansas Department of Commerce, aims to revitalize vacant spaces in rural communities of 15,000 or fewer residents through public art projects. This initiative encourages community engagement and collaboration by funding murals that reflect local history and culture. Eligible applicants include local governments, non-profits, and tribes. Projects must demonstrate readiness to start and can receive funds for artist fees, materials, and other related costs, fostering community pride and tourism.

Intent
To activate vacant and underused spaces through the arts to help bring together community members around the art, history, and culture of the community.
Description
This program provides funding for communities with populations of 15,000 or less to reinvigorate spaces by creating new murals or public art that incorporate the community’s history, culture, heritage, tourism, or other community led art piece.  This mural and public art grant program is intended to support projects in rural communities that are immediately ready to begin work on their mural, with community engagement, location selection, site approvals, and muralist selection being completed by deadline.

Eligibility

Eligible ApplicantsCommunities with a population of 15,000 or less, located in a county of 50,000 or less. Units of local governmentEconomic/Community Development and Tourism non-profits (501c3 or 501c6)Federally recognized tribesNon-profit organizations (501c3)Match Requirement: Dollar for dollar (1:1)The total project cost must be at least twice the amount of the grant request.The match requirement must consist of at least 25% cash expenses provided by the applicantIn-kind non-monetary donations and volunteer hours may be counted, up to 75% of the required matchMatch ExceptionOrganizations or projects in communities with populations of 1000 or fewer:In-kind non-monetary donations may be counted as 100% of the required match Eligible Costs/ExpensesArtist and consultant fees including travel expenses and accommodation expensesApplicable project materials and suppliesAdditional administrative costs (beyond annually budgeted general operating costs) related to the approved projectAllowable marketing expenses directly related to the approved project This does not include campaigns or materials used solely to raise awareness of the organization.Equipment purchases needed to complete art or mural project under $5,000Wall or surface repair – limited to 15% of total project cost (tuckpointing, mortar repair)Surface preparation (smoothing, resurfacing, cleaning, etc.)Lighting or display materials to highlight the art pieceLandscaping or clean-up of the space that could affect the visibility of the mural

Ineligibility

Ineligible Costs/Expenses Include:General operating costs of an organization not directly related to the approved project Applicable general operating costs directly related to the approved project may account for no more than 50% of an applicant’s cash matchFundraising campaigns or related expenses, scholarshipsConstruction, purchase, or renovation of facilitiesFinancing of political activities, lobbying, or murals that are directly tied to a political party affiliationHonorariums (artists and contractors must be paid as fees for services rendered)