Rural Murals Grant Program

The Kansas Rural Murals program is an initiative by the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP), a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, aimed at fostering community engagement and revitalization in rural areas through public art. ORP focuses on the advancement of rural Kansas by identifying policy priorities and supporting initiatives that promote growth and prosperity. This particular program seeks to breathe new life into underused or vacant spaces by funding the creation of murals and public art projects that reflect local culture, history, heritage, and tourism. The program targets rural communities with a population of 15,000 or less, and counties with populations of 50,000 or less. Through the promotion of the arts, the initiative helps foster community pride, unity, and storytelling. It is designed to serve as a catalyst for broader community revitalization, and applicants are encouraged to ensure their murals are reflective of the unique identity and heritage of their local area. Public art created through the program should engage local residents and reflect community-led visions. Applicants must demonstrate readiness to begin the mural project immediately upon award. Therefore, all planning steps must be completed prior to submission, including community engagement, selection of mural location, confirmation of site approvals, and the identification of an artist or muralist. This readiness requirement ensures that awarded projects can proceed on schedule and be completed within the program’s one-year performance window. Eligible applicants include a diverse range of organizations and entities. These include Tribal Nations, designated Kansas Main Street Programs, Economic Development Corporations or Chambers of Commerce, city and county governments, schools, local community foundations, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) designations. The program supports a wide swath of rural stakeholders with the shared goal of enhancing the quality of place through creative expression. While the program is not currently accepting applications, awarded mural projects from the August 2025 cycle have been given one year to complete their work. The Kansas Department of Commerce has not yet announced the opening date for the next application round. However, the recurrence of previous cycles implies a likelihood of future funding availability, and interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the ORP and Kansas Commerce websites for updates. All prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Rural Mural Guidelines and Mural Making Guide, which provide further direction on project development and implementation. These resources, along with the contact page on the Kansas Commerce website, offer support for communities preparing for future rounds of funding.