09/19/2026
Art can change a commute and spruce up a whole community.
If you want to transform a wall in your neighborhood, here’s how to kick off the process:
1️⃣ Secure Your Location & Property Owner Approval. Partner with a local property owner, community association, or local business and get written consent to put art on their building.
2️⃣ Identify your lead artist(s) and create a realistic budget covering materials, equipment rental (hello, scissor lifts!), artist stipends, and maintenance.
3️⃣ Public art needs neighborhood buy-in, so hold community meetings or votes to shape the concept.
4️⃣ Get info from the Maryland State Arts Council to explore programs like the Public Art Everywhere or Project Grants. Applications usually open at set times during the year, so review the eligibility criteria early.
5️⃣ Start the Permit Process Early (Seriously) - especially in Baltimore. The permitting process is pretty broken, so it takes patience and time. You’ll need to submit your site plans and approvals to the city well in advance of your targeted paint date.
It does take time, paperwork, and perseverance, but creating a piece of magic that brightens someone’s daily walk is worth every step.
Go paint the world colorful!
