Small Walls Artist Roster

Overview

The City of Reno is seeking qualifications from artists whose primary work is in murals or other facade artwork for a prequalified roster. The intention of the Small Walls Artist Roster is to invite artists who are interested in working with the City of Reno and private business owners to paint murals or create other facade artwork. Artists accepted on the roster will be considered for opportunities to work with private business owners through the Small Walls program.

Small Walls is a program that partners local artists with businesses and property owners to paint murals or create artwork on private property that is public facing. The current initiative is a partnership between the City of Reno Arts & Culture Division and the Reno Redevelopment Agency (RDA). This program is funded by the RDA and is designed to enliven downtown and surrounding districts within Redevelopment Areas 1 and 2. 

Businesses are eligible to apply for up to $10,000 in matching funds and are required to work with a local artist from the Small Walls Artist Roster supplied by the City. 

Businesses are asked to identify spaces for murals and facade artwork that are approximately 750 to 1000 square feet (75 ft x 10 ft, for example). Larger scale murals or facade artwork may be considered, however, due to budget constraints and goals of the program, smaller walls are ideal.

This program supports the goals of the Reno Redevelopment Agency and the new Public Art Master Plan, including: 

• Enhancing walkability and improving the visual character of priority corridors 
• Activating storefronts to reduce blight and encourage pedestrian activity 
• Reducing barriers to entry for emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses 
• Supporting local artists and providing next-level opportunities 
• Bringing creative placemaking to priority areas of the city 

Qualifications

• Must live in the Reno-Sparks metro area
• Be a visual artist, wishing to work in the realm of public art. Having completed a mural or other public art is not required, however, it is highly suggested that artists have experience painting on a larger scale with paint mediums that translate well to exterior walls or other hard surfaces.

Benefits of being on the roster

• Once you are on the Small Walls Artist Roster, you will be eligible for opportunities without having to apply for each one individually. Currently, we are looking for artists for the Small Walls RDA program but anticipate further opportunities in the future.
• We share this roster with outside partners, allowing them to identify potential local artists for projects on private property.

How to apply for the roster

To apply to be on the Small Walls Artist Roster, you must complete an application via Submittable.

You will be asked to provide:

• Contact information
• 5 images of your work - It is suggested that the work samples focus on mediums applicable to mural painting or facade artwork. Good quality images make a difference!
• Short biography and artist statement

There will be periodic opportunities to update your profile text and images on the roster.

Your work must be appropriate for a public space. We do not allow artwork that includes hate speech, illicit drug use, smoking, guns, nudity, or violence. Please do not include this in your work samples.

A committee will review applications for eligibility and determine whether artists are qualified and can complete a mural based on the work samples provided. Incomplete and ineligible application will not be shared with the committee. 

Terms and Conditions

• You must be the creator of the artworks you submit.
• You must give credit to any partners on projects.
• Acceptance on the roster does not guarantee you will receive a project.
• Imagery created solely through AI is not acceptable as work samples or proposed commissioned artworks because they are not protected by copyright.