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https://raleighnc.gov/arts/services/public-art-murals-sidewalks
11/12/2024 5:24 pm

The artist lays on her mural of a cicada in Nash Square

Image Above: Sidewalk Mural, Elisabeth Flock, Southeast corner of Nash Square

Public Art Murals on Sidewalks

Use this toolkit to add murals to sidewalks!

Updated: Nov 12, 2024

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Things to Consider Examples Request Process & Approval Timeline Submit Your Request

Things to Consider

Location

  • The City can only grant permissions for sidewalks that are located on City-owned streets or in City parks
  • Consider contacting surrounding property owners. Letting community members know about your project will help build support and create a successful project
  • If you have a specific sidewalk in mind, let us know on your request form

Cost

  • Paint usually costs $50 to $250, depending on the number of colors and size of the artwork
  • Artists who are hired by an organization typically receive a stipend of $250-$1000 for their artwork 
  • This type of project does not include funding from Raleigh Arts. Check out other funding opportunities

Design 

  • The artwork must be applied as paint on concrete using an American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant non-slip, exterior paint. See paint specifications below
  • Avoid words or shapes that look like road signs (arrows, red octagons, etc.) 
  • Artwork must include the artist's credit. Crediting guidelines for temporary art in public spaces include:
    • Hashtags and artist signatures are allowed
    • No more than two hashtags are allowed
    • No logos are allowed
    • Hashtags and artist signatures should be sized so they are less than or equal to 2% of the painting surface. For smaller artworks, the artist can choose to use up to 2” x 24” instead to retain legibility. The artist has the digression to make the hashtag/signature smaller if they choose

Paint Specifications

  • The artist must use ADA-compliant, non-slip exterior paint
a paint can label for the recommended custom yellow paint at Sherwin Williams
  • Raleigh Arts recommends Sherwin Williams Porch & Floor enamel and has created a list of colors, including a custom yellow, that works well on sidewalk murals and can be mixed to create other colors:
    • Custom Yellow (show the photo to Sherwin Williams staff, and they will replicate it for you)  |  Primary Yellow
    • Heartthrob SW 6866  |  Primary Red
    • Honorable Blue SW 6811  |  Primary Blue
    • Capri SW 6788  |  Cyan Blue 
    • Extra White SW 7006  |  White 
    • Tricorn Black SW 6258  |  Black 
    • Grenadine SW 6592  |  Magenta/Pink 

Examples

Sidewalk mural by artist JP Jermaine Powell

Pure Love

JP Jermaine Powell

Intersection of Davie and Wilmington Streets

Sidewalk mural by artist Britt Flood

Britt Flood

1 S. Wilmington Street

Sidewalk mural by artist Sam Greene

Lava Jump

Sam Greene

100 block of E. Jones Street

Sidewalk mural by artist Kristen Krumenaker

Kristen Krumenaker

Northside of Lenoir Street between Salisbury and Fayetteville Streets

Request Process & Approval Timeline

StepDescriptionTime Period
Request

You will need to provide the following on the request form:

  • Your contact information
  • The name of the artist creating the artwork *
  • Samples of previous artwork and a written or visual proposal
  • A proposed location if you have one *
  • A proposed project timeline
  • A summary of the project
  • The estimated project cost and its funding sources
  • A list of project partners, if any
  • Signed letters of support from adjacent property owners.
  • The level of City involvement needed (help with finding a location, artist selection, permitting, etc.)
  • Acknowledgment that you have read the Community-Initiated Public Art Projects Policy

* If you don't have a location or artist selected, please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov for guidance.

Download request form

 

Request your project today!
Review

Your project with go through a two-step review process:

  1. The Arts, Education, and Collections Committee (AEC) will review your project and either approve, deny, or approve with a request for changes. This committee meets on the first Thursday of each month.
  2. After approval from AEC, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission (CORAC) will review your project and either approve, deny, or approve with a request for changes. The commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month. 

Once approved, Raleigh Arts Staff will notify you. Please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov with questions about your project's review progress.

 

1 - 3 months, not including permitting and contract process
Permitting & Permissions

Raleigh Arts can help guide you through the permitting process. 

  • Sidewalk murals will require a signed agreement. The artist, sponsor organization, or artwork installer will need to: 
    • Register as a vendor with the city 
    • Review and sign the agreement 
    • Provide a certificate of insurance with the City of Raleigh named as an additional insured. (A qualified vinyl installer should already have a certificate of insurance)
  • A sidewalk closure permit is required while the artwork is installed. Please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov at least 2 weeks in advance with the exact installation dates.

Please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov with questions about signed agreements and insurance.  

 

1 - 3 months
Installation
  • A sidewalk closure permit is required while the artwork is installed. Please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov at least 2 weeks in advance with the exact installation dates.
  • Artwork must include the artist's credit. Crediting guidelines for temporary art in public spaces include:
    • Hashtags and artist signatures are allowed
    • No more than two hashtags are allowed
    • No logos are allowed
    • Hashtags and artist signatures should be sized so they are less than or equal to 2% of the painting surface. For smaller artworks, the artist can choose to use up to 2” x 24” instead to retain legibility. The artist has the digression to make the hashtag/signature smaller if they choose
  • Provide photographs and social media details to Jenn Hales so Raleigh Arts can celebrate and promote the project with all project partners

 

After the project is approved, the contract is signed, and permits are secured, choose the installation date.

Submit Your Request

Follow the steps below to submit a request for sidewalk murals:

  1. Review the above information and gather all necessary materials, including how the project will be funded.  This type of project does not include funding from Raleigh Arts. Check out other funding opportunities.
  2. Confirm the sidewalk is owned by the City using the Powell Map, which marks City-owned streets in blue.
  3. Email a request form several months before your proposed completion date to Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov.

Related Links

 

Do-It-Yourself Public Art Projects

Raleigh Arts

Public Art

Artist Calls

Contact

 

Jenn Hales
Public Art Coordinator
jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov

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