Rural Murals Grant Program

The Kansas Rural Murals Grant, administered by the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) within the Kansas Department of Commerce, is a place-based arts funding opportunity aimed at revitalizing underused spaces in rural Kansas communities through public art. This program seeks to strengthen community identity and engagement by supporting the creation of murals that reflect local history, heritage, culture, and tourism. The 2025 application window opens on April 3, 2025, and closes on May 16, 2025. Applicants must be from communities with populations of 15,000 or fewer, or counties with populations of 50,000 or fewer. The funding supports the design and installation of new murals or other public artworks in highly visible, underutilized areas. Eligible projects must be ready to proceed at the time of application, with location selection, community engagement, site approvals, and muralist selection already completed. Eligible applicants include: Tribal Nations Designated Kansas Main Street Programs Economic Development Corporations or Chambers of Commerce Cities and Counties Public Schools 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations Local Community Foundations The program encourages community-driven, culturally relevant projects that promote rural vitality. Although the specific grant amount has not been disclosed, applicants are advised to review the Rural Mural Guidelines and accompanying sample application materials available online. Additional support is available through a pre-recorded informational webinar and slide deck. Funded murals must highlight elements that make the community unique—whether historical, cultural, or rooted in community storytelling. This effort is part of ORP’s broader mission to promote economic development and cultural vitality in rural Kansas, through direct support and collaboration with local stakeholders. For more information, applicants can visit the Kansas Department of Commerce’s website or view the interactive mural map to explore past projects. The program’s emphasis is on projects that are ready to begin immediately upon award and can be completed efficiently with existing community support structures in place.