Denver Public Art Urban Arts Fund

Denver Arts & Venues established the Urban Arts Fund (UAF) in 2007, with the first mural projects implemented in 2009. The UAF awards funds in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 through a competitive process. Eligibility is open to any artist or team of artists demonstrating the ability to execute a successful mural project, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply.

Preference will be given to projects with a well-planned youth development and community engagement component, first-time applicants (artists and organizations who have not received funding in previous years), and mural applications specifically in Denver City Council Districts four, five, six, eight, or eleven which currently have few or zero mural projects. Applications must include a description of the mural concept including location, address, dimensions, and budget (1,000 characters or less), four images of past works with their location, dimensions, and project budget, a sketch or rendering of the mural concept, and a resume. Colorado applicants must upload a photo of the proposed mural site; out-of-state applicants may indicate if they need assistance identifying a wall. A support letter from a City Council representative is required for murals on City property, and an approval letter from the property owner is required for murals on private property.

Murals along the Cherry Creek Trail (public City property) began in 2014 and may have 1-3 projects available in 2017. Approved Cherry Creek Trail projects will have additional requirements including a community engagement component. Award notification is expected in April 2017. Application review can take 2-4 weeks, and if approved, the City may require an additional 4-6 weeks for background checks, contract drafting, and invoice processing. Applications may be recommended for funding at a level lower than requested, and the UAF steering committee may give conditional approval pending additional information or community input.