Denver Urban Arts Fund Mural Program

Denver's Urban Arts Fund is calling for any artist or team of artists demonstrating the ability to execute a successful mural project. The program encourages emerging artists and artists representing marginalized communities including women, people of color, people with disabilities, and people identifying as LGBTQ+. Preference will be given to projects with a well-planned youth development and community engagement component, first-time applicants, and projects in neighborhoods and city council districts with few or zero existing UAF mural projects, including council districts 4, 5, 6, and 8. Funding ranges from $2,000 to $8,000.

Applications require an uploaded concept sketch or rendering of the designed mural including location, requested budget, and timeline, along with a completed Budget Worksheet. Applicants must upload four images of past works that include location, dimension of mural, and commissioned amount. Colorado-based artists must provide a photo of the designated site showing evidence of a "graffiti hot spot" wall. Out-of-state applicants should indicate if they need assistance identifying a wall. For murals on private property, a signed Property Owner approval letter is required.

Projects are selected by the UAF Steering Committee with award notification in April 2019. Application review takes 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 lower level than requested, and some projects may receive conditional approval pending additional community input. Awardees are required to document their project through photographs and/or video and interviews with participants, and may be required to present their project at a public celebration event. A Final Report is required after the mural is completed.