HomeMy WebLinkAboutIowa City Public Art Matching Fund ProgramIowa City Public Art Matching Fund Program
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in this grant opportunity. Prior to completing this application form, please review the Public Art Matching Grant
Frequently Asked Questions at www.icgov.org/publicart.
If your project takes place on City-owned or privately-owned property, you must provide evidence in the following application that you have
support and approval from the appropriate parties to proceed with this project. Failure to obtain prior approval could disqualify or delay an
otherwise good proposal. If you aren’t sure if you need prior approval from a project partner, please contact Neighborhood Outreach &
Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5093.
Beyond initial siting approvals obtained prior to submitting this application, please be advised that some projects may be required to obtain
additional permits or approvals as determined necessary by the City. Any such requirements would be outlined in the grant agreement.
Regardless of whether the project is located on public or private property, the project must be freely accessible by the public.
Awarded applicant(s) are responsible for performing or coordinating the execution of all phases of the project, including but not limited to site
prep, installation, etc. If any component of the proposed project is beyond your capabilities, please explain in the application.
*
I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information above.
General Information
The Public Art Matching Grant Program aims to increase public art access and opportunities in Iowa City. The program funds visual, audio, or
performance-based art projects that are located in Iowa City and accessible to the general public.
Successful grant applications will show evidence of a specific planned project which can be completed before December 31, 2025. Please
complete the following application in its entirety. If you have questions or need assistance completing this application form, please contact
Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5093.
It is recommended applicants save the form every 5-10 minutes to avoid losing progress. To do this, click “Save as Draft” at the bottom
of the File Uploads page.
Project Name *
Paint the Park
Applicant Name *
Erykah Danner
Applicant Email *
erykahwildflowers@gmail.com
Applicant Phone *
319-259-9892
Applicant Address *
Street Address
1914 Hollywood Blvd.
Address Line 2
City
Iowa City
State/Province/Region
IA
Postal/Zip Code Country
52240 US
Are you the project artist *
Yes No
Please upload your artist resume/CV *
Erykah Danner_CV.pdf 58.57KB
URL to your website, digital portfolio, or social media.
https://www.instagram.com/erykahwildflowers?igsh=MTJ0eno3b3I4Ym0zdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Have you received Public Art Matching Grant Funds in the past?*
Yes No
Project Details
To save progress, click “Save as Draft” at the bottom of the File Uploads page.
Provide a brief description of the proposed project *
In 2012 the City of Iowa proposed a master plan to build Riverfront Crossings Park and develop an artist district in the area around South Gilbert
Street. Phase 1 of the park was completed in 2017 but plans have slowed for development in the surrounding area in the last few years. A new
bike path was also installed in Phase 1, connecting Terry Trueblood Recreation Area to Riverfront Crossings Park. Directly north of the park, the
bike trail leads to Open Heartland, a handful of small businesses and buildings owned by Johnson County.
Most public art in Iowa City is concentrated in the downtown area so this project is meant to extend public art further into neighborhoods, parks
and underserved areas of the city. I would like to create a bright, nature based mural on the east and south sides of the building at 821 South
Clinton Street. This would extend green space and ecological education beyond the park, create a trail connection from the park to the river trail
and help elevate the surrounding neighborhood. There are additional plans to paint a complementary mural on the blue building across the
street if approved, creating a larger gateway mural to welcome residents and visitors.
The design concept will be based on native plants and animals and the city and county staff will have final design approval. The mural is
considered ephemeral and could be removed at anytime if the county sells the property. Because of the location and unknown timeline for
development in the area, it’s not likely this section of the city would be approved for a mural without the support of programs like this.
Explain how the project is defined as “public art.” Please include how the artwork will be located in an area open and freely
accessible by the public; and describe how you envision the artwork engaging the public.*
Located near a large public park, the mural will be free and easily accessible to the public. The mural will serve as a visual anchor to Riverfront
Crossings Park and the Benton Street Bridge, creating a space that feels more vibrant and inviting. The public will be able to enjoy the mural
traveling by car and also interact with the mural walking or riding their bike on the nearby trails. With a focus on native plants and animals the
mural serves as an artistic piece as well as an inspiration for the public to explore the outdoors and inspire curiosity about the natural world.
Describe the intended audience for this project, why public art is important to that audience, and any efforts you will make to
benefit the broader community, especially populations which have faced systemic barriers to art access or opportunities *
The intended audience for this project are park users, local small businesses in the area, employees and residents needing assistance at the
Johnson County Administration Buildings and other community members traveling through this area of the city. Much of the art in Iowa City is
located downtown which makes public art difficult to access for anyone not in those areas. This project will bring art to community focused
spaces that generally don’t have funds to invest in public art or may not have the available resources to afford rent in the downtown area where
public art is prioritized. A public park, a community center helping immigrant families, county services and a non-profit art space are all necessary
and helpful to our community, but have limited resources and don’t often have the extra funds to invest in projects like public art. It also might
be difficult to get help investing in that area of the city as some of the abandoned sites sit with old foundations, old train tracks and may need
from remediation due to previous industrial contaminates.
How will you know your project was successful? Please list specific outcomes or measures (qualitative or quantitative).*
1. Visual Impact-helps to brighten the area and elevate neighborhood
2. Creates Place-marker- visual anchor to park and Benton St. bridge
3. Highlights Native Ecosystems- creates curiosity about the natural world through public art
4. Underserved Areas Represented- creates access to public art in areas that may not have equal opportunities to access art
5. Community Pride- creates a sense of ownership and responsibility of area around mural
6. Economic Impact- encourage public to explore local businesses and parks
Will this project take place on public or private property?*
Public/City-Owned
Private Property Owned by the Applicant or project partner listed below
Private Property not owned by the applicant
Please list which City staff/departments you have discussed your proposal with and whether they are supportive of the project.
Failure to contact appropriate City staff prior to submitting this form may result in disqualification of your application. If you aren’t sure who to
contact, please contact Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-
5093.
Erin Shane, Johnson County Executive Director of Board of Supervisors- Erin has been very excited and supportive to have this project cross her
desk. She is helping to make sure all the necessary legal documents for the County are complete for the project as well. She said this project is
the first of it’s kind partnering with Johnsons County and she would like you to use it to create a precedent for future similar projects.
Location of Project *
821 S. Clinton St. Iowa City
Project Partner(s) (if any)
Johnson County
Describe the role of any project partners listed
I will work in partnership with the county to make sure they have final design approval. There are example design concepts uploaded with this
document based on previous projects involving a community garden and focus on watersheds, but I will create an original design for this project.
The County also mentioned they would like to use this project to establish a precedent for future work and would like to work together to create
the official guidelines.
Please check any of the following project aspects that apply to your project.
Note: These selections do not impact scoring, but are informative for the selection committee.
Functional Art: Art that also serves a practical, everyday purpose (i.e. bench, lighting, shelter, timepiece, etc.)
Unexpected Art: Art that offers an element of surprise, perhaps occuring at a place or time where it is unexpected.
Participatory Art: Art that directly engages the audience in the creative process, so they become participants in the event (i.e. an interactive
performance or participation in creation of an artwork).
Ephemeral Art: Art that is intended to be temporary, short-lived, or disappear over time.
Contemplative Art: Art that encourages self-reflection and mindfulness.
Timeline
To save progress, click “Save as Draft” at the bottom of the File Uploads page.
Project Timeline
Tell us about the proposed timeline and action steps needed to complete this project. Use one line for each milestone and add additional lines as
needed.
Action Step/Milestone Completed by
Apply for Iowa Arts Council Grant 04/22/2025
Complete paperwork with County 05/01/2025
Design Concept approved by county/city 06/01/2025
Grant Approval 07/01/2025
Gather Supplies/Paint 08/01/2025
Pressure Wash Wall/Prime 08/15/2025
Paint Wall 09/01/2025
Budget
To save progress, click "Save as Draft" at the bottom of the File Uploads page.
Please use the budget templates below. A completed budget should tell us what sources of funds your project will use and how you plan to spend
the grant money.
Project Funding Sources
Total Project Cost *
$20,000.00
Matching Grant Request *
$4,000.00
Please list any other funding sources supporting your project. Add additional rows as needed.
Other funding source *Amount *Committed or Anticipated?*
Iowa Arts Council Art Project Grant $10,000.00 Committed Anticipated
In-Kind Donation $6,000.00 Committed Anticipated
Please describe any project supplies, equipment, or labor which are being donated in-kind
Industry standard for murals is $10-30 sq.ft so this project is budgeted just a little over the minimum at about $10.50 sq.ft. I plan on donating
$6,000 in labor to complete the project on budget.
Project Budget
Please list a breakdown of project expenses and funding sources. Funding for personal property or gain will not be authorized. Example:
Amount:Describe Expense Item:Amount paid by Matching Grant:Amount paid in-kind or by other
funding source:
$400 Paint $400
$200 Paint Supplies $200
$1,500 Artist labor $500 $1,000
$150 Plaque/signage $150
Amount Expense Item Amount paid by Matching
Grant
Paid in-kind or by other
funding source
-Next
$1,800.00 Paint $1,000.00 $800.00
$600.00 Pressure Wash/Wall Prep $600.00
$400.00 Scaffolding/Ladder $400.00
$200.00 Paint Tools $200.00
$17,000.00 Artist Labor $3,000.00 $14,000.00
File Uploads
Letters of support, if available (?)
Images (?)
IMG_0494.jpeg 752.52KB
IMG_0493.jpeg 614.74KB
IMG_0495.jpeg 912.8KB
Site Plan (?)
IMG_0496.jpeg 357.27KB
Additional Information (?)
Signature