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:

• Iowa City Public Library (123 S Linn)
• Robert A. Lee Recreation Center (220 S Gilbert St)
• Mercer Aquatic Center (1317 Dover St)
• City Hall Front Desk (410 E Washington St)

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 Program

The Iowa City Public Art Matching Grant Program aims to foster creativity and enhance opportunities to access the arts in Iowa City.

The 2024 Public Art Matching Grant application period has closed. Typically, applications for the Public Art Matching Grant Program open in January or February each year. To be notified when the 2025 funding round opens, please sign up to receive Public Art news and Information.

2024 Public Art Matching Grant Resources:

• Public Art Matching Grant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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).

Program Details: Community-Initiated Public Art Program Fact Sheet

Application: Community-Initiated Public Art Program Application

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.

Program Details: Neighborhood Art Program Fact Sheet & Review Criteria

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:

• Goosetown Street Markers
• Northside Street Markers
• Longfellow Historic Markers

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:

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.

Oracles of Iowa City

Location: Capitol Street Parking Ramp (220 S. Capitol Street)

Artists: conceptualized by Antoine Williams and Donté K. Hayes

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.”

“The artists…Antoine Williams and Donté K Hayes, want to make it clear that this mural is not the end of any conversation or action in regards to improving the lives and well-being of Black people who live in and or visit Iowa City. Both murals…exhibit colorful pattern work similar to the ones found in West African traditional rituals and ceremonies. The patterns will furthermore resemble sound waves which connect the murals to their placement on the downtown parking garage across from the University of Iowa Voxman Music Building. Such placement is for the white community, government officials, community leaders, and all people who view the mural or have heard of the mural’s existence to acknowledge the systematic oppression of Black people and be accountable to do more in the community. Most importantly, the mural will speak to Black people’s humanity and not just their pain, giving expression to Black aesthetics in order to create a much-needed social transformation regarding race and not only acceptance, but respect.”

-PS1

For addition information about the Oracles of Iowa City project, please visit the Public Space One website.

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!

Please submit the Public Art Donation, Gift, and Loan Form if you are so generously interested in making any of the following:

• Unrestricted Donation/Gifts: the donation of an artwork to the City without any restrictions on where it is sited.
• Restricted Donation/Gifts: the donation of a site-specific work of art to the City.
• Loan: the loan of a work of art to the City (with or without restrictions).

Learn more: Iowa City Public Art Donation Guidelines & Procedures

Please submit the Recognition of Art in Non-Public Spaces Form if you would like to nominate a private artwork that is visible or accessible to public passersby.

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.

Learn more: Iowa City Public Art Policy for Recognition of Art in Non-Public Spaces