Grants & Opportunities

Art in Public Places (AIPP)

AIPP funds public art projects with artistic-merit that last 10 or more years.

Eligibility:

• Madison neighborhood associations
• Nonprofit organizations
• City of Madison agencies

Individual artists or groups must partner with one of the above.

BLINK Temporary Public Art Commissions

BLINK supports temporary public art in Madison. MAC invites artists to propose temporary works in unsuspecting places in the community. Artists should propose ideas that are modest in cost, yet unique, bold and ambitious. We commission projects for up to $1,500. Projects must be accessible to the public.

Artists can apply for a BLINK commission at any time. MAC will review applications submitted February - April in May. MAC may consider proposals outside the city if the project would benefit the artist & the City.

Calls for Art

MAC issues calls for public art, exhibitions, and more. Staff post open calls below.

Open Continuously: Existing Art Call

• Open to artists of all mediums
• Submit up to 10 existing works each year
• As opportunities arise, works may be 
  • Purchased (City of Madison owns the work)
  • Loaned (City of Madison borrows the work)
  • Licensed (City of Madison uses a digital version of the work in a different medium - like vinyl on utility boxes)

Open Continuously: Social Practice Artist Call

• ​Open to social practice artists of various methods and mediums.
• Artists will be considered for opportunities as they arise. 

Coming Soon: Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Sculpture

• Open to professional artists/artist teams who produce outdoor public art
• Semi-finalists will be selected in August, 2025.
• Design proposals will be reviewed in early 2026.
• Review the Imagination Center Public Art SIte Details. 

Closed July 8: Teejop Community History Public Art Project

• Selected semi-finalists will be announced in August.
• They will propose designs for a temporary outdoor public art project.
• Final proposals will be reviewed in early 2026.
• Read the Teejop Community History Public Art Project Guidelines for full requirements. 

Closed July 10: Bartillon Shelter Mosaic

• The selected artist will be announced in August.
• They will create a 5 panel, 247 SF mural for the new purpose build shelter.

• Site specifications. 

Register for the Madison Arts Newsletter to learn about new opportunities.

Artists At Work Creative Workforce Development Grant

In 2023 MAC awarded $450,000 to 22 arts organizations to reinstate or create arts jobs. Artists at Work was funded by an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Grants were for either $10,000, $15,000, or $25,000.