Public Art Murals Program

Al-Amir Restaurant, Kevin Ledo + students of David Douglas High School, 2016 

There are two options to create an art mural in Portland:

Option 1

Artists and organizations may apply for matching funds through the Public Art Murals Program which is funded by the City of Portland and administered by RACC. The program provides up to $5,000 in matching funds for murals that reflect a diversity in style and media. Artists from different cultural backgrounds and ranges of experience are encouraged to apply, and there is no application fee. Students enrolled in an art program at a degree granting institution are eligible for up to $2,500 in matching funds. Download 2022-2023 Guidelines. 

To apply to the Public Art Murals Program, go to the Online Mural Application. Proposals can be submitted by 5:00PM on the third Wednesday of every month The approval process takes approximately 4-6 weeks and proposals are reviewed by the Public Art Murals Program Committee, whose members include artists, arts advocates and other creative professionals.

For a project to qualify for RACC approval, property owners are required to provide a signed/notarized Art Easement Form  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.

Option 2

Artists may apply for a $50 Original Art Mural Permit through the City’s Bureau of Development Services, which has different requirements.

Visit http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/50737 for more information.

Muralist Roster

The Muralist Roster is an on-line resource that can be used by anyone seeking an artist for a mural project – community groups, business or property owners, schools, architecture firms, private developers or other public art programs.  The intent of the roster is to provide users a range of artistic styles from which to select an artist that fits the needs of a particular project.

The roster artists were selected by RACC’s Public Art Murals Program Committee demonstrate the skills, experience and interest in designing and painting large scale paintings and/or murals. As you review this roster, read about each of the artists in their own words and view details of up to three past projects to get a feel for their work.  Links to websites and social media outlets allow you to further explore their practice. All artists live and work in either Oregon or Washington and have previous experience working large scale.

To view or download a PDF of the roster, click here. To view the collection of Public Art Murals approved since 2005, visit RACC’s Public Art Search page.

Muralist Roster Update. The deadline for submitting application materials is the third Wednesday of every month. Materials will be reviewed quarterly in January, April, July, and October.  For more information, visit the RACC Muralist Roster webpage.

Portland Mural Maps

Portland Street Art

Central Eastside

Alberta Arts District

Resources

Chicago Public Art Group’s Community Public Art Guide

City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

Denver Public Art Urban Arts Fund

Forest For the Trees Northwest

Living Walls Atlanta

Mural Locator

Portland Street Art Alliance

Rescue Public Murals/Mural Creation Best Practices

Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) in Los Angeles