TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced the launch of a new round of Rural Mural funding to support the creation of projects in rural Kansas communities. The total amount of funding available is $125,000.
“Public art is a powerful tool for rural revitalization and bringing vitality and prosperity to all regions of our state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The Kelly-Toland administration fully supports investments that improve the attractiveness of our smaller communities, engage residents and visitors alike, and help stimulate the local economy.”
The funding initiative from the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) aims to activate vacant and underused spaces through the arts — to help bring together community members around their local history and culture.
“In 2024, there were 12 successful mural projects in small communities across Kansas,” Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon said. “This new round of funding is going to do more than beautify our towns. It will bring the community together to create something that can be admired and remembered for decades to come.”
ORP will open this round of Rural Murals for new applicants. Applications will be open through May 16. The maximum grant opportunity is $7,500 and requires a 100% match, with at least 25% in cash and up to 75% in-kind contributions.
To qualify for funding, applicants must be from communities with populations of 15,000 residents or less. Murals can beautify community gathering spaces, elevate tourist attractions, and offer a welcoming message for visitors. The proposed projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.
The office will be hosting a Rural Mural application webinar at 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 7, for those interested in applying for funding. Register for the webinar here. For more details and to apply, click here.
The Kansas Department of Commerce is dedicated to providing financial support, technical assistance and guidance to help communities develop mural and public art projects. There is an online resource guide (here) to help communities plan and execute their arts-based initiatives that enhance local growth and foster prosperity.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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