Congratulations on being selected as a Artist Grant Recipient!
Please submit this Final Report within 60 days of completing your event, project, or travels. We are excited to hear about your experience.
Please complete this form to receive the funds awarded through the Hotel Tax Grant program.
Your Grant Final Report is due by August 15, 2024.
Norman Arts Council, Public Art Committee
Mural Incentive Program
The Norman Arts Council and the Norman Public Art Committee announce the 2024 Mural Incentive Program. This program is intended to enhance the cultural landscape of Norman, OK by providing matching funds to property owners who wish to invest in a mural on the exterior of their space.
Murals must be in the City of Norman, Oklahoma's boundaries.
Applications will be considered for funding as they are received. The Public Arts Committee will review applications at their monthly meetings on the second Monday of the month. There is no deadline for applications. Projects will be considered for NAC funding if funds are currently available.
NAC/PAC will consider 1 to 1 matching up to $10,000 – If the NAC/PAC approves the request, it will be the maximum possible award. If the application is from a nonprofit entity, no matching funds are required unless the project is more than $10,000. All applicants can expect a response within 45 days of submission.
Applicants MUST provide with the application:
· Written and signed approval from the property owner (if other than the applicant) for the mural.
· An artist rendering of the mural design
· A signed written agreement with the artist which includes:
The total cost to be paid to the artist
A statement that the mural will remain in place for at least 5 years unless the mural has been damaged or has deteriorated beyond reasonable repair.
NOTE: The NAC must be contacted in writing before removal if there is a reason to remove early.
· A full budget for the project which will include payment to the artist:
AT LEAST $25/square foot for mural
NAC recommends a minimum design fee of $500
If you have requested design proposal from multiple artists, NAC recommends a minimum design fees of $500 to each artist
· A timeline for the project
· Acknowledgment of review of the Federal Visual Artists Rights Act: https://www.gapslegal.com/articles/understanding-the-visual-artists-rights-act/
If a business/property owner would like NAC assistance with commissioning an artist, please see our Pre-Qualified List of Artists. If you do not see an artist you would like to work with, you can speak to the NAC about managing a Call for Proposals for your intended mural. Please reach out to Leslie Nottingham: leslie@normanarts.org
Why NAC/PAC could say no to funding:
· The location isn’t visible to the public
· In an attempt to have a diverse representation of artists in Norman, consideration of funding will be weighted towards our mission of working with varied artists and styles
· The budget is not appropriate to the project
· The project is already in production
· The project does not align with the mission and values of the NAC and PAC. This may include reasons such as, but not limited to:
Content that may be deemed offensive (political commentary, hate speech, cultural appropriation, pro or anti-religious discourse, etc.)
Once approved, the NAC will contract with Business:
· Any changes to the design after funding has been approved must be approved by NAC/PAC
· Disbursement of funds: 50% on contract execution and 50% upon completion of the project
Your Project Grant Final Report is due within 45 days of the completion of the project.
Your Grant Final Report is due by August 15, 2023
The Norman Arts Council’s Public Arts Committee with funding from the City of Norman, is launching a Mural Incentive program for businesses and commercial property owners in Norman, Oklahoma. Through an application process, the NAC will consider requests for funds of up to $10,000 for mural projects in the City of Norman.
To connect businesses and property owners with muralists, we are inviting muralists to submit their qualifications to a pool of artists. We invite muralists from Oklahoma to submit their portfolios and a statement that describes their mural style and technique.
Businesses may opt not to use one of our pre-qualified artists, or they may ask the NAC to assist in a selection process. The process would begin with a review of the pre-qualified pool and a short list of appropriate artists for a specific project.
Businesses who apply to our Mural Incentive program must agree to pay artists a minimum of $25/square foot for a mural commission.
To be considered for the Pre-Qualified Mural Artist Pool, please complete the application and submit applications are rolling. Previous applicants need not reapply.
Use this form to send the NAC your monthly announcements for the Roundtable meetings. Roundtable meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1:30pm.
To be included in the Roundtable announcements, you MUST submit via this form by midnight the Sunday just prior to Roundtable. We will only announce events/programs that are starting within the next 60 days.
You may use this same form to submit events/programs to our calendar. There is no deadline for this.
ALL Artists, Makers, and Cultural Participants must complete this form to participate in the 2nd Friday Art Walk after confirming their set-up location. This information is required to complete the application.
This registration form is intended for the following participants only:
- Individual artists and artisans — selling, displaying, or activity-based only
- Participants selling or demonstrating locally crafted merchandise
- 501(c)(3) organizations with a cultural mission
Location: Please decide where you would like to set up and obtain permission from the nearby business before completing this application. You will need to provide your confirmed location in the form. Be sure the business has not already reserved the space for someone else or planned its own sidewalk activities.
Application Deadline is 6 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the Art Walk
Permits: Once you have submitted the application, you will receive the actual permit on the Thursday before Art Walk. Please print this and display it on your booth, visible to passersby. If you are unable to print, you may stop by MAINSITE Contemporary Art, 122 E Main, and we will have copies available.
All participants must provide their own equipment for setup. Tents, tables, chairs, and electricity are not provided by the NAC or the City of Norman.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE FAMILY-FRIENDLY - Any participants not deemed family-friendly will be asked to leave immediately.
Any participants selling food, whether pre-packaged or freshly served, are required by STATE LAW to have a license from the Cleveland County Health Department. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THEM AT: 405-321-4048 OR CLEVELANDENVIRONMENTAL@HEALTH.OK.GOV TO DISCUSS LICENSING & SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION THE DAY OF THESE EVENTS.
*The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman reserve the right to deny any participant application that they do not believe fits the purpose of the 2nd Friday Art Walk.
Street performers at the 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk must complete this online application to perform within the official Art Walk footprint, which spans 200 West Main St to 300 East Main St, Jones Avenue from Gray St to the Depot, and Gray Street from Jones St to Porter Ave.
AN APPLICATION IS REQUIRED FOR EACH 2ND FRIDAY YOU PLAN TO SET UP
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 5 p.m. the Wednesday before each 2nd Friday (December 10, 2025)
**NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ALLOWED!!!
Performance locations will be limited to allow adequate spacing and ensure each artist’s work can be heard clearly and appreciated. Please confirm your location before submitting your application and obtain permission from the nearby business or businesses.
BE AWARE THAT THE 300 EAST BLOCK OF MAIN STREET WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE OCTOBER ART WALK. RESONATOR WILL BE HOSTING AN EVENT AT APPROXIMATELY 7 PM, AND MUSIC WILL BE INCLUDED. I WOULD ADVISE SETTING UP IN THE 200 WEST, 100 WEST, 100 EAST, OR 200 EAST BLOCKS.
- The location must be determined prior to
- Brick & mortar businesses may work with performers to facilitate performances outside their businesses, but a permit is still required
- NAC will work to accommodate all performers but will respect artistic excellence by giving each performer the space needed to be heard clearly
No equipment or electricity will be provided.
*The NAC and the City of Norman reserve the right to refuse any Street Performer Application.
ALL 2nd Friday Participants who do not have a permanent, brick and mortar location on Main Street within the 2nd Friday boundaries or are not an arts-related participant MUST submit here to set up at the 2nd Friday Art Walk. This registration form is for the following participants ONLY:
- Non arts-related businesses, non-profits, or other community organizations (including churches, booster clubs, student/youth organizations)
- Political candidates and non arts-related advocacy groups
All participants must provide their own equipment for set up. Tents, tables, chairs, and electricity is not provided by the NAC or the City of Norman.
Deadline is 6 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the Art Walk
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE FAMILY FRIENDLY - Any participants not deemed family friendly will be ask to leave 2nd Friday immediately.
Any participants selling food, whether pre-packages or freshly served, are required by STATE LAW to have a license from the Cleveland County Health Department.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THEM AT: #405-321-4048 OR CLEVELANDENVIRONMENTAL@HEALTH.OK.GOV
TO DISCUSS LICENSING & SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION THE DAY OF THESE EVENTS.
*The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman reserve the right to deny any participant application that they do not believe fits the purpose of the 2nd Friday Art Walk.
Your final report is due 45 days after completion of the training or activity funded. Organizations that do not submit a final report on time may not be allowed to apply for future Norman Arts Council funding. If extenuating circumstances make it impossible for an organization to meet this deadline, the organization must receive approval from the NAC in advance.
Your final report is due 30 days after completion of the project. Remaining award funds will automatically be forfeited by any organization that fails to submit the COMPLETE Final Report by the deadline. Organizations that do not submit a final report on time may not be allowed to apply for future Norman Arts Council funding. If extenuating circumstances make it impossible for an organization to meet this deadline, the organization must receive approval from the NAC in advance.
Conflict of Interest Policy
This policy applies to board members, staff and certain volunteers of the Norman Arts Council. A volunteer is covered under this policy if that person has been granted significant independent decision-making authority with respect to financial or other resources of the organization. Persons covered under this policy are hereinafter referred to as “interested parties.”
Conflict of Interest
A conflict may exist where an interested party, or a relative or business associate of an interested party, directly or indirectly benefits or profits as a result of a decision made or transaction entered into by the organization.
A conflict may also exist where an interested party, or a relative or business associate of an interested party, obtains a non-financial benefit or advantage that he would not have obtained absent his/her relationship with the organization, or where his/her duty or responsibility owed to the organization conflicts with a duty or responsibility owed to some other organization.
An interested party is under a continuing obligation to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest as soon as it is known, or reasonably should be known.
NAC Board will be made up of people from various sectors of the Norman Community, including artists and arts administrators. Occasionally, these board members may have perceived conflicts of interest when the NAC offers opportunities such as exhibits, awards, grants, and other special programming for which they would like to be considered. The NAC does allow for board members to apply for these opportunities, but the board member must revise their conflict of interest disclosure to indicate potential benefit from said opportunities. Should a board member apply, they must abstain from any discussion/board action related to that particular program/opportunity.
Specific Conflicts of Interest
The following are specific conflicts of interest that would preclude an individual from serving on the Norman Arts Council Board of Directors, Standing Committees, or Selection Panels:
- A spouse, partner, or close family member also serves on the same board of directors, standing committee, or selection panel
- A spouse, partner, or close family member is on NAC Staff
- Said individual is an elected official that has direct influence over public funding for the NAC
Disclosure
An interested party shall complete a questionnaire, to fully and completely disclose the material facts about any actual or potential conflicts of interest. The disclosure statement shall be completed upon his/her association with the organization, and shall be updated annually thereafter. An additional disclosure statement shall be filed at such time as an actual or potential conflict arises.
The Executive Committee shall review disclosure statements. Copies shall also be provided to the Executive Director.
Disclosure statements are kept with other official document of the organization on an electronic server.
Procedures for Review of Actual or Potential Conflicts
Whenever there is reason to believe that an actual or potential conflict of interest exists between the NAC and an interested party, the Board of Directors shall determine the appropriate organizational response.
Where the actual or potential conflict involves an employee of the organization other than the Executive Director, the Executive Director shall, in the first instance, be responsible for reviewing the matter and may take appropriate action as necessary to protect the interests of the organization. The Executive Director shall report to the President the results of any review and the action taken. The President, in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall determine if any further board review or action is required.
Violations of Conflict of Interest Policy
If the board of directors has reason to believe that an interested party has failed to disclose an actual or potential conflict of interest, it shall inform the person of the basis for such belief and afford the person an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
If, after hearing the response of the interested party and making such further investigation as may be warranted in the circumstances, the board determines that the interested party has in fact failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
This form must be submitted to request awarded grant funds.
Your organization may request up to 50% of the funds awarded within 90 days of the project start date.
Call for Artists
Call for Artists
Norman 2026 Artful Inlets: Rotary Park – 1501 W. Boyd
Deadline for Submission: March 13, 2026 @ 11:59pm
The City of Norman operates and maintains a series of underground pipes, open channels, ditches, and roadways used to collect or convey stormwater runoff from our homes and businesses to the nearest body of water, such as a creek, stream, or lake. In urban areas, stormwater runoff from hard surfaces, like roofs and driveways, flows along the side of the road until it reaches a storm drain, which is an opening or grate in the curb connected by a series of pipes and drainage channels to the nearest waterbody. Water and other materials that enter these storm drains are transported directly to our creeks and streams without any treatment. Some of the pollutants that enter our local creeks and streams with stormwater runoff include grass clippings, oil, trash, fertilizers, pesticides, and pet waste.
For the 8th Annual Artful Inlets program, the Norman Arts Council and City of Norman are inviting artists to submit designs that will transform city infrastructure into works of public art. These artful inlets will educate and raise awareness that pollutants that go down storm drains have a devasting impact on our local water quality.
There are currently 30 Artful Inlets in the community in the Walker Arts District, Lion’s Park, Colonial Estates, Vineyard, Sequoyah Trail, and Chisholm Cattle Trail Parks. This year we will be adding five (5) pieces of infrastructure identified for this project. They are located in Rotary Park, 1501 W. Boyd St.
This year’s Artful Inlets theme, "In Service to Our Streams," connects Norman’s culture of service with its commitment to protecting our local waterways. The theme encourages artists to design storm drain art that highlights the importance of protecting water quality while celebrating the collaborative spirit that strengthens our community.
In support of this initiative, all designs for this round of Artful Inlets must include the tag line: In Service to Our Streams!
Submission Rules
· Artists (or a team of artists) must be 18 years or older and a resident(s) of Cleveland County, Oklahoma.
· Artists who completed an Artful Inlets design in the past are eligible to submit.
· All designs must be submitted on the provided Design Worksheet.
· Design proposals must be submitted through the designated online submission platform via the Norman Arts Council and no later than Friday, March 13, 2026. Only applications submitted through the on-line process will be considered.
· Artists must submit and install their original designs.
· Submissions must include a short biography and information about the proposed design.
· A list of materials to be used that are not provided by the City of Norman and Norman Arts Council must also be included and approved.
Design Criteria – All submissions we be evaluated on the following:
· Artistic excellence
· Each design must include the slogan “In Service to Our Streams!” within the design.
· When designing artwork, each artist is asked to consider the following themes:
1. Stormwater Pollution Prevention
2. Environmental Protection: the importance of cleaner water
· The design must be appropriate for a public space.
· Any materials supplied by the artist must be eco-friendly, not contribute to stormwater pollution, and be pre-approved by the selection panel at least two weeks before the designs are painted.
· The design may not contain any business references, promotions, or advertisements.
· It may not contain any breach of intellectual property, brands or trademarks, or depiction of illegal activity.
· The final painting must match the proposed design.
Selected Artists or Teams of Artists will receive:
· A $750.00 stipend when installation and sealing is completed
· A clean, primed area stationed off with appropriate traffic control devices while painting
· A tent to provide shade over the area while painting
· Sherwin-Williams Armorseal paint – black, white, yellow, red, and blue with a non-slip additive
· Artists will have an opportunity to mix paint colors prior to installation
· Water for painting
· Tubs and containers for water and paint
· Drinking water and snacks
Artists must provide:
· The original design
· The ability to execute the accepted design within the allotted time
· Brushes
· Any other supplies or tools they deem necessary to execute their design
The artists will be selected based on the materials submitted. Artist selection for this project will be made by a panel including City of Norman and NAC staff and members of the Norman Public Arts Committee who will choose 5 artists and 1 alternate.
Soon after the selected artists are notified, a staff member from NAC or the City will meet with artists at the parks to assign designated areas and to discuss the specific size and shape of their design relative to their assigned space.
Timeline
· Submission deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026
· Artists will be selected and notified by Friday, March 27, 2026
· Artist meeting at Rotary Park, 1501 W. Boyd on Wednesday, April 8, 2026
· Paint mixing day on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 9:00-11:00 AM and 1:00 – 3:00 PM
· Installation of the artwork will be on Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18, 2026
During the two days of installation, the artists will be photographed and interviewed, and a video will be made to allow each artist to talk about their design, their motivation for participating, and their process. These will be used to create a feature segment for on the Norman Arts Council’s YouTube channel and other social media platforms.
Please note that if there are any changes to the installation schedule due to inclement weather, selected artists will be contacted with alternate installation dates.
Defined space for artwork
The area that artists are allowed to paint is approximately three (3) feet wide by ten (10) feet (rectangle - templet can be requested at leslie@normanarts.org) on a variety of concrete surfaces.
Artists must use the template to propose designs. Be mindful that some changes to your design may be required to accommodate the specific location.
Please use the submission template as a guide but understand the design may be slightly altered if chosen. Artists, the City of Norman, and NAC will all agree on needed alterations.
Copyright
The design must be original and must not infringe on any other person’s intellectual property rights.
Each selected artist further grants the City of Norman and the Norman Arts Council the exclusive rights to reproduce the design (including electronic images) for fundraising, educational, and promotional purposes.
Vandalism
While the City of Norman will provide a clear vandal-resistant varnish, artists should also be aware that the City of Norman cannot prevent vandalism to said artwork, although every effort will be made to protect it.
Maintenance
The Artful Inlet murals are expected to last approximately one year. They may last longer, but the City of Norman and Norman Arts Council only guarantee the preservation of the installation for one year from completion. Due to regular park traffic and weather, the installations will eventually fade and degrade. If after a year and in the opinion of the City and NAC the artwork can be touched up or refreshed, reasonable attempts will be made to contact the artist to see if they want to do that work without additional compensation. The City reserves the right to remove the installation if repair is not feasible or a year has passed since completion.
Removal
Artwork must be consistent with submitted and selected artwork. If, in the opinion of the selection panel, the artwork does not reflect the submitted design, the City has the right to remove it partially or completely. The City and NAC have the right to remove the artwork at any time if they jointly agree that the artwork is inappropriate due to design, condition, or vandalism. The City reserves the right to remove the artwork immediately if it presents a danger to public safety or if the drain needs maintenance, repair, or replacement.
Liability
Each artist agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Norman and the Norman Arts Council from any loss or damage, any third-party claims, demands, actions, legal fees, or costs for which the Artist is legally responsible, including those arising out of negligence, willful harm, or crimes by the Artist or the Artist’s employees, agent or subcontractors. This “hold harmless” agreement shall survive beyond the term of the Artist’s service contract.
The City of Norman and Norman Arts Council will not be liable or responsible for any bodily or personal injury or property damage of any nature that may be suffered by the Artist, their employees, agents, or subcontractors in the performance of this Project, except to the extent of any negligence or misconduct on the part of the City of Norman and Norman Arts Council.
Commissioning of artists is implemented without preference to racial or ethnic origins, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or age.
The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman reserve the right to modify this solicitation and to request additional information or proposals from any or all participating artists. The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman also reserve the right to accept or reject, at any time before the commissioning of a work, any or all proposals when the acceptance, rejection, waiver, or advertisement would be in the best interest of the project. In addition, they may solicit proposals from artists not responding to this call and reserve the right to select an artist outside of the pool of artists responding to this call.
Submission Entry Checklist:
___ Completed ONLINE Entry Form
___Completed design template
___Design description and information – one page maximum
___List of any additional materials or supplies
___Artist’s bio – one page maximum
ONE Artist Call
ONE Half-Century: 1976 Art Auction
Artists are invited to participate in the Norman Arts Council's annual Art Auction! This is an exhibition and auction of works to support the Norman Arts Council.
Deadline to confirm participation via this form is February 13, 2026 at 11:59pm CST.
Artwork MUST be delivered to the Norman Arts Council between February 24, 2026 – March 3 , 2026 - No Exceptions!
Drop-off days and hours:
Tuesday, Feb 24 – 10am – 4pm
Wednesday, Feb 25 – 10am – 4pm
Thursday, Feb 26 – 10am – 4pm
Friday, Feb 27 – 10am – 4pm
Saturday, Feb 28 – 10am – 4pm
Sunday, March 1 – CLOSED
Monday, March 2 – CLOSED
Tuesday, March 3 – 10am – 4pm
Artwork must be delivered ready to hang (fully prepared for immediate installation) or display.
Artwork must include Title, Artist, Medium, and Dimensions clearly marked on the back of the piece.
All work will be available for auction bidding starting March 13, 2026 at 6pm AND ENDING March 21, 2026 at 11pm.
Exhibit Opening Celebration: 2nd Friday, March 13, 2026, 6pm – 9pm
Unsold Artwork MUST be picked up between March 31 – April 4, 2026 - No Exceptions!
Pickup Days and hours:
Tuesday, March 31 – 10am – 4pm
Wednesday, April 1 – 10am – 4pm
Thursday, April 2 – 10am – 4pm
Friday, April 3 – 10am – 4pm
Saturday, April 4– 10am – 4pm
Details:
- Artists may submit up to two (2) works for the auction.
- We will only accept artwork 36” x 36” or smaller
- We would love for artists to consider “ONE Half-Century: 1976” as a theme in their donated work, but it is not required
- The Norman Arts Council reserves the right to decline any work submitted for the auction for reasons including, but not limited to: work that is not exhibition-ready, work that is deemed inappropriate by the ONE Committee, or submissions that do not meet all the requirements.
Artists who donate 100% of auction proceeds (minimum $50 starting bid) to the NAC will receive:
- Two tickets to the event
- Work will be listed as Featured Work in the online Auction and include a link to your artist website (if applicable)
Artists who donate 50% of auction proceeds (minimum $200 starting bid) to the NAC will receive:
- One ticket to the event
- 50% of final sale price of work
- Transaction fees will be removed from price of work