Overview
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) invites Iowa artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for the Iowans Create Community Mural Program, through which the selected artist or artist team will work with a selected Iowa community to plan, design and create an original, site-specific mural by June 30, 2027.
Program Description
The program invites Iowa communities with a population of 20,000 or less to apply for the chance to work with an Iowa artist to design and create an original mural that showcases the community’s spirit and unique creative and cultural identity.
The selected artist or artist team will work with the IEDA and the selected community to envision, design, and create an original mural that activates a public space, welcomes visitors and showcases the authentic character of the community. The selected artist or artist team will be expected to take part in several meetings with the selected community as part of the design and development process.
Timeline
August 26, 2026 - Artist Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Opens
October 30, 2026 - RFQ Application Deadline
November 2026 - RFQ Applicants and Finalists Notified
November 2026 - Community Selection
December 2026 - Community selects artist from finalist pool
December 2026-March 2027 - Planning, Artwork Design and Development Process
March 2027 - Finalize Design
April-June 2027 - Mural Execution and Completion
Note: The timeline is subject to adjustment.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must meet all the following requirements.
- Individual artist or artist team
- Applicants who represent an artist team must apply as an individual on behalf of the group and clearly state their individual role.
- U.S. citizen or possessing a Permanent Resident Card (i.e. “Green Card”) or in the process of obtaining a Permanent Resident Card, who is a full-time Iowa resident domiciled in Iowa or maintaining a permanent place of abode in Iowa. For purposes of this RFQ, the terms “domiciled” and “permanent place of abode” are defined in Iowa Administrative Code 701-300.17 (422).
Artist Requirements
The selected artist or artist team will be responsible for community engagement, planning, design, development, creation, and installation of the artwork within the given budget, using appropriate paints for the surface and painting a protective sealant on top of the mural. The vision for the work is a signature mural that projects the selected community as a great place to live, work, and thrive. Colorful imagery and a unified aesthetic are priorities.
Budget
The total project budget is $25,000. All costs associated with the public art project are covered by this budget, and no additional funds will be available.
The IEDA will enter into a professional services contract with the selected artist or artist team. The value of the contract will be determined in part based on the size of the agreed-upon mural concept and a cost estimate for services provided by the contractor and approved by the IEDA.
Eligible expenses may include artist fees for design work, project management, and creation of the mural; supplies and materials dedicated to the project; equipment rentals; and travel expenses. The selected artist or artist team is required to allocate a portion of the project budget to activities related to the final site selection, community engagement and planning.
Artist Selection Process
RFQ applications will be reviewed to identify the short list of qualified artists to be considered for the project based on the following criteria:
- Artistic excellence as evidenced by representations of past work and other supporting materials.
- Appropriateness of the artist’s work to the goals of the project, as evidenced by representations of past work and other supporting materials.
- Professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project.
- Availability to participate in the project's planning, design, approval, and implementation as required within the project timeline.
- Strong desire to engage community stakeholders in the concept development process.
Application Submission
Application Requirements
All RFQ applications must be submitted through iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com
Applicants must submit the following required materials:
- Statement of Interest
- A statement of interest outlining the applicant’s interest in the project and prior relevant experience. The statement should briefly summarize your artistic focus and professional career to date, especially as it relates to the program goals.
- Resume/CV
- If applying as a team, please include the team/studio resume. If a team/studio resume is not available, please combine the individual resumes of each team member into one document.
- Work Samples
- Upload between 5-10 images of relevant previous work.
- Professional References
- Include the names and contact information for 2 professional references
Online Application Submission
Applicants must submit applications via SlideRoom, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the current online application requirements at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com. Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit help.liaisonedu.com for assistance related to the online submission.
Review and Selection Process
All RFQ applications will be reviewed by staff for completeness and eligibility. Staff may contact applicants if additional information is required. The list of qualified artists will be presented to a selection committee formed by the IEDA. The selection committee will recommend one or more finalists to the IEDA. The finalist pool will then be provided to the selected community for consideration. In consultation with the IEDA, the selected community will choose the artist or artist team for the project. The IEDA reserves the right to withhold the award of a commission and re-release the RFQ, as needed.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit an online application is 11:59 p.m. on October 30, 2026.
Contracting Terms
Terms of a successful applicant’s contract with the IEDA are anticipated to include, but may not be limited to, the following provisions:
- A license granted to the IEDA to use the artist’s name, nickname, pseudonym, business name, image, likeness, performance, voice, actual or paraphrased statements regarding the mural, biography and other identifying traits in any and all media, worldwide, in perpetuity and royalty-free, for the purpose of promoting the IEDA, the program, and the mural.
- A license granted to the IEDA to use images of the mural in any and all media worldwide, in perpetuity and royalty-free, for the purpose of promoting the IEDA, the program, and the mural.
- A requirement that the artist maintain commercial general liability insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence during performance of the project.
- A requirement that the selected artist indemnify, defend and hold harmless the IEDA and the State of Iowa from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, claims, damages, liabilities, settlements and judgments, relating to or arising from any alleged acts or omissions by the artist while working on the project.
- A warranty against deficiencies for a period of thirty-six (36) months, not including damage or defects resulting from exposure to harmful solids, liquids or gases, vandalism, or Acts of God.
The IEDA reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, request additional information from applicants, cancel or modify this RFQ, and negotiate final contract terms with the selected artist or artist team.
Applications submitted in response to this RFQ may constitute public records subject to disclosure pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 22 and other applicable laws.
Accessibility
The IEDA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to eligible applicants. For technical support submitting the online application, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator, Elizabeth Ferreira, at 515-348-6325 or [email protected], at least two weeks in advance of the application deadline.