The City's Arts and Cultural Affairs staff can guide you through the process. Steps 2,5 and 6 are when you need to get approvals.
Public art project process
We share an overview of how to do community-led art projects in Minneapolis.
Process at a glance
Determine the location
Submit eligibility request
Get community support
Select an artist
Submit project application
Submit final permits and paperwork
Begin art installation
Quick links to each step
Step 1: Determine the location
Determine who owns the property
When you know where you want to install your public art, you'll need to know who owns the property. The type of property owner determines the process you'll need to follow.
Use one of these methods to find the property owner:
Location options
Private property
- You must develop an agreement with the property owner to do art on their property.
- Private property may include commercial buildings, schools and residences, utility boxes, railroad bridges.
City of Minneapolis
- City sidewalks and streets
- Vacant lots
- Buildings
- Bridges
- Utility boxes for traffic signals and streetlights
- Midtown Greenway
Hennepin County
- County bridges
- Buildings
Note: The City of Minneapolis manages permits on County roads.
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
- MnDOT bridges
- Buildings
- Highway sound walls
Step 2: Submit eligibility request
Public art eligibility
This first approval determines if your proposed site or utility box is eligible for public art.
What you include in your Eligibility Request form depends on the type of project you are doing.
Types of public art projects
What to submit
In general you will need to submit:
- A map or plan of the site
- Dimensions
- Photographs of the site
Step 3: Get community support
You'll need to get support from and involve the local community where you plan to install the artwork.
For projects on City property, you should involve one or all of these local communities:
- The neighborhood
- Community organization
- Special service district
You can engage the community for an art project on City property by involving them in:
- Developing the design
- Creating aspects of the artwork
- Sponsoring the community or property owner on the project
- Including information in newsletters or social media
Step 4: Select an artist
Consider issuing a call for artists advertised through:
- Organizations that work with artists, such as Forecast and Springboard for the Arts
- The Arts and Cultural Affairs Newsletter
For art projects on City property you will:
- Contract with an artist and pay them a fair stipend
- Select artists through the recommended open call process
- Respect artists’ copyrights and provide adequate credit
- Reach out to community organizations for sponsorship if you are not an eligible applicant
Step 5: Submit project application
The application requirements depend on the type of public art project you are doing.
Approvals
- Most art project applications are approved by the Art Commission and Public Art Advisory Panel.
- The pre-approved utility box art wrap applications are approved by the Arts and Cultural Affairs staff.
- Once approved, the project moves on to step 6.
Application guidelines
What you need to include in your application depends on your public art project.
Application guidelines by art project:
Step 6: Submit final permits and paperwork
In this step, you submit the final paperwork for the permit.
You will:
- Submit insurance documentation
- Provide approval from nearby property owners
- Have your permit in hand before you start
Step 7: Begin art installation
Your public art installation plan will contain different items based on your project selected.
In general, you'll need to:
- Secure materials and equipment
- Secure required City permits
- Be mindful of your safety and liability
- Make sure cones, barricades and signage are set up correctly if they are needed
Contact us
Talia Moorman
Arts and Cultural Affairs Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 510
Minneapolis, MN 55415