MISSOURI STORIES, MISSOURI MURALS
FY26 MIssouri Arts council Mural Art Grant Program
The Missouri Arts Council is offering mural grants to communities in Missouri. Priority will be given to communities that do not currently have public art murals. We will approve up to five grants (one per community) to provide an outdoor public art mural that illustrates a local story or stories that share your unique community experiences and/or history, showing what makes your community special.
This program is funded with America250 funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council.
The purpose of the program is to promote the use of art to share community stories, promote community culture and heritage, and enhance neighborhoods and districts.
Timeframe
Application deadline: Monday, January 19, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Sites announced: Monday, February 2
Conceptual renderings completed: Monday, March 2
Completion of mural: June 1
Requirements
The Missouri Arts Council will provide . . .
– An experienced mural artist
– Supplies and materials to produce the mural
The community will provide . . .
– Mural location (property waiver required)
– Food and lodging for artist during mural creation
– Lift to facilitate painting if necessary
– Mural maintenance for a minimum of 10 years
The final image must be approved by the Missouri Arts Council and located on an agreed site.
Any Missouri community is eligible, but communities currently without an outdoor art mural will be given preference.
Yes, as this grant does not provide funding, only the mural itself, if approved.
The community is responsible for the mural location, prepared for painting. We ask that you provide food and a place for the artist to stay while producing the mural on site. Any access to a lift to facilitate access to the site would also help. The community will provide input on the mural content as well as committing to maintain the mural for a minimum of 10 years.
The most compelling mural would be based on a story that can be illustrated in an interesting way. The story would appeal to both residents and visitors. The story does not have to be historical (although it may be). It could even be based on local legends or tall tales.
We encourage the use of QR codes adjacent to the mural to promote websites for the community and the artist.
Logos from both the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council should be next to the mural to acknowledge that support.
Do not apply if you are not prepared with the mural location and concepts for the mural content. If delays occur that delay the completion past the fiscal year, it may jeopardize the funding.
This grant opportunity is designed for America250 funding. We might consider other mural proposals with other funding opportunities. Please contact us.
While we cannot fund artists directly, we may be able to connect you within your community. Please contact us.