City arts & culture initiatives are a function of the Economic Development Division and include:
Public Art Program: The City manages a Public Art inventory of 30+ works valued at over $1 million. The Public Art Advisory Committee was established to oversee the operations of the Public Art program and advise the City Council on the acquisition and maintenance of art in our public spaces.
Arts & Culture Economy: Iowa City is home to many arts, culture, and creative businesses, venues, and organizations, which serve as a major economic driver. The Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study revealed that the Downtown Iowa City arts and culture industry alone accounted for $20.4 million and 319 jobs!
Downtown Cultural & Entertainment District: In 2022, the State of Iowa designated Downtown Iowa City as an official Cultural & Entertainment District of the State. This designation was secured by a partnership between the City and the Iowa City Downtown District.
The Sculptor Showcase is a recurring public art program that gives Iowa sculptors the opportunity to showcase their work around the Iowa City community for a two-year display period. The City of Iowa City’s Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) selects sculptures and display locations based on submissions. See the location map for more detail.
2024 - 2026 Sculptor's Showcase
The 2024-2026 Sculptor's Showcase exhibits will be on display from August 7, 2024 through July 2026. Visit the Sculptors Showcase page to learn more about the 2024-2026 selected artists and work.
"Sculptor's Showcase Chase" Scavenger Hunt
Complete the “Sculptor’s Showcase Chase,” a scavenger hunt challenging community members to visit all eight sculptures for a chance to win a prize!
Scavenger hunt maps and checklists can be picked up (and returned once complete) at the following locations during their regular operating hours:
After participants visit each sculpture and fill in the checklist, it can be returned to one of these locations to win exclusive coloring sheets inspired by the artwork (options for all ages are available!).
Public Art Matching Grant
Public Art Matching Grant Program
To foster creativity and continue to enhance access and opportunity to the arts in Iowa City, the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) has announced the 2026 Matching Grant program!
Maximum grant award: $3,000 (total project costs of at least $6,000)
Minimum grant award: $500 (total project cost of at least $1,000)
Eligible expenses include materials or supplies necessary for the creation of the artwork, wages or stipends for artists/performers to create the work, or contract labor for installation and/or site prep.
Eligible matching funds include other non-City grants, donations, personal contributions, and in-kind services or commodities/supplies.
Eligibility
Visual, audio, or performance-based projects
Must be located in Iowa City and freely accessible and viewable by the public
Organizations, schools, artists, businesses and individuals may apply
Projects must be completed within calendar year 2026
Proposals and expenses that are not eligible include:
Events or performances that are part of applicant’s regular programs
Those that do not have the arts as their primary focus
Those intending to influence public policy or evangelize a belief
Those that advertise, promote, or gain in any way for a for-profit business; or those that incorporate the logo intended to promote a non-profit
Those for which patrons will be charged admission
Fees to secure a site (permits, purchasing land, etc.)
Applications are due by 3 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2026.
You are encouraged to submit in advance of the deadline, in order to prevent potential delays if you experience technical difficulties. Late applications will not be considered.
If you need a disability-related accommodation to complete the application, please contact Economic Development and Public Art Coordinator Rachel Kilburg Varley at 319-356-5248, or at rkilburg@iowa-city.org.
The Community Initiated Public Art Program provides a pathway for community members to secure needed approvals for completing a public art project on public property or right-of-way (ROW).
The Neighborhood Art Program aims to help Neighborhood Associations coordinate a significant public art project in their own neighborhood, with input from the people who live there.
Application: The Public Art Advisory Committee is not accepting Neighborhood Art Applications at this time. Please contact the Public Art Coordinator at publicart@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5248 to learn when future opportunities for neighborhoods may be announced.
Check out a few examples of previous Neighborhood Art Projects:
The Public Art Program often seeks to leverage opportunities to enhance City facilities with public art that beautifies, celebrates, and commemorates the historical and cultural fabric of Iowa City.
Check out a few of these recent examples of civic facility public art projects:
South District Sculptural Bus Stop Bench
Location: Fairmeadows Park (2451 Miami Drive) along Lakeside Drive, Bus Stop #8069
Artist: Ethan Wyatt
Artist Mentor: Ray Michels
The bright orange, 12-foot tall sculpture functions as both an eye-catching work of art and a unique bus stop bench. It is located near Fairmeadows Park along Lakeside Drive.
"Uplift" was commissioned by the Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) in collaboration with the South District Neighborhood Association (SDNA). The project followed a unique model that paired an experienced artist with an emerging artist to foster mentorship and hands-on experience in the creation of large-scale public art.
The sculpture’s title, “Uplift,” references both the ski lift chair featured in the design and the spirit of collaboration that brought the project to life. Artist Ethan Wyatt said, “So many came together over this two-year span to make it happen that I honestly lost count. This whole process was really difficult at times, but in the end, it still uplifted me. My hope is that this piece continues to uplift the spirits of the community for years to come.”
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Iowa City Airport Mural
Location: Iowa City Municipal Airport (1801 S. Riverside Drive)
Artist: Jenna Brownlee
Completed in the fall of 2023, "Flights Through Time" is a 12-foot-tall, 300-foot-long mural along an Iowa City Airport hangar facing South Riverside Drive. The artist, Jenna Brownlee, created the piece to represent the history of aviation in Iowa City from its beginnings with the flight of Tom Baldwin’s Red Devil in 1910 to today’s aircraft commonly seen at the Iowa City Municipal Airport.
The Iowa City Airport Commission, with financial assistance from the Public Art Advisory Committee, raised funds from area donors to complete the mural.
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Oracles of Iowa City
Location: Capitol Street Parking Ramp (220 S. Capitol Street)
The Oracles of Iowa City wasa partnership between Public Space One and Center for Afrofuturist Studies funded through the Iowa City Public Art Program and the University of Iowa Office of the Vice President of Research.
“The concept and ultimate vision for this mural is a visual call out or beacon to the community and to the greater region of people who will visit Iowa City. The starting thoughts for the theme of this mural comes from Double Consciousness, the term created by African American scholar W.E.B. Du Bois as the internal conflict experienced by Black people or colonized groups in an oppressive society.”
For addition information about the Oracles of Iowa City project, please visit the Public Space One website.
Donations & Recognition of Private Art
Iowa City’s publicly-accessible art consist of works created as part of the City’s Public Art Program, works acquired through private donations, and privately-developed works located on private property. All of these art sources reflect the spirit, character, heritage, pride, and values of our city and residents!
Any person can nominate works that they consider to reflect the beauty, sense of community, and heritage for their neighborhood or of Iowa City in general (for example: sculpture, murals, topiary, water art, garden art, etc.).
Recognized artworks will receive a printed certificate and inclusion on the Iowa City Public Art Map.
