PORTLAND, ORE — The Regional Arts & Culture Council is now accepting applications for mural funding through its Public Art Murals Program. Applications are due the first Wednesday of every month through June 2015.

There are two routes to creating a community mural in Portland:

(1)The Public Art Murals Program is funded by the City of Portland and administered by the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). This program provides up to $15,000 in matching funds for murals that are diverse in style and media. Students enrolled in an art program at a degree granting institution are eligible for up to $2,500 in matching funds. Artists, curators, neighborhood associations, citizen-based groups, and private developers are all eligible to apply. RACC especially encourages proposals from under-represented communities in order to ensure that the diversity of our region is reflected in our programs. There is no application fee. 

For a project to qualify for RACC approval, property owners are required to provide a signed/notarized Art Easement that is recorded with Multnomah County. Murals approved through this program become part of the City’s public art collection for as long as the Art Easement remains in effect. 

Application forms and guidelines are available at racc.org/public-art/mural-program. Proposals must be submitted by 5:00PM on the first Wednesday of every month. RACC’s review and approval process takes 4-6 weeks, and all proposals are reviewed by the Public Art Murals Program Committee, whose members include artists, arts advocates and other creative professionals. For more information, contact Peggy Kendellen, public art manager, at 503.823.4196 or pkendellen@racc.org.

On Saturday, November 8 from 10:00 am to noon, RACC will offer a free workshop to help artists understand the mural application process at the Rosewood Initiative, 16126 SE Stark St. For more information and to RSVP, contact Peggy Kendellen, public art manager, at 503.823.4196 or kendellen@racc.org.   

Since its inception in 2005, RACC’s mural program has provided funding for over 50 murals. All of them can be viewed on RACC’s website.

(2) Another route for painting a mural in the City of Portland is through the city’s Original Art Mural Permit,which has different requirements and a fee of $50. Funding is not available through the City’s permitting process. Visit portlandoregon.gov/bds/50737  for more information.