WS|FC Public Art

Priority Deadline: May 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

Total Projected Budget: Projects up to $45,000 will be considered. 

Program Description

The WS|FC Public Art Commission has created a program that facilitates the creation and installation of public art projects on private property in the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) target area. For this call, Public Art projects can include murals, artistic fences, artistic window grates, mosaics, bike racks, sculptures, and/or benches – as long as the product increases the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood. Funds cannot be used on artwork that advertises a business via the use of its logo or business/organization name.  

  Businesses or non-profit organizations that own or lease their property may apply to host an artwork on their site. Applicants must identify the type of artwork they would want on their property and a location on their property that can host the artwork. 

  If selected, the business or organization will then work with the WS|FC Public Art Commission to find an artist that is appropriate for the project. Once the applicant and the Commission have approved the artist’s design concept, the WS|FC Public Art Commission will contract and fund the artist to install the approved artwork on site.  

Program Constraints 

• Projects cannot display the business/non-profit organization’s name, logo, or motto.   
• Projects must be viewable from the public right-of-way. The committee will not consider proposals for artwork in spaces that have restricted access. 
• Artwork can only be installed within the CNI target area (map linked here).  
• Funds will be determined by the WS|FC Public Art Commission, based on location and project type. Projects up to $45,000 will be funded by the Commission. All funds will be managed by the Commission and will be paid directly to the commissioned artist/fabricator. 
• Funding can NOT be used to improve structural, water, and/or facade damage to a property. All surfaces or spaces must be made ready for installation by the property owner.  
• Funding shall NOT be used on residences or residential property.  

Program Eligibility 

• The grant is available to brick-and-mortar businesses/non-profit organizations, both owned and leased, including healthcare facilities, educational centers, community services, thrift stores, retail stores, restaurants, auto body and repair shops and service providers, operating within the CNI target area.  
• The business must be in an area eligible for the grant, as defined by CNI target area. 
• Businesses and/or non-profit organizations must be operating as a registered business entity or non-profit organization. Applicant’s property must be in good standing with City of Winston-Salem ordinances and all other relevant ordinances. 
• The business/non-profit must comply with local zoning laws, building codes and other relevant regulations, and be current on all property taxes. They must also agree to retain the artwork, barring significant vandalism or building damage, for at least 10 years. 
• If the applicant is a tenant, they must have a fully signed lease and written approval from the property owner supporting the improvements to be made and agree to the terms and conditions of the grant award, including a deed of trust and promissory note. A lease term of a minimum of one (1) year is required. 

Application Timeline    This is a rolling call. To be considered a priority applicant, please submit materials by May 11, 2026. This application will close January 31, 2027, or earlier, if funds are fully allocated prior to the closing date. Businesses/non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply early in the application cycle.   

Important Dates 

• Application Posted: Monday, March 30, 2026 
• Priority Applications Due: Monday, May 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

 For more information, please read the full RFP here. 

Deadline: Monday June 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET 

Total Budget: $300,000  

OVERVIEW  

The City of Winston-Salem's Public Art Commission (PAC) is launching the CNI Resident Artist Project, a one-time artist residency funded through the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) Public Art Revitalization Program. The CNI Resident Artist will collaborate with the Public Art Commission to work with East Winston-Salem residents to develop an artistic project that is community focused.  

The selected artist will have an all-inclusive budget of $300,000 with an expected time commitment of 12 months that includes the initial immersion period, a proposal period, and then time to implement the artistic project. 

CNI RESIDENCY GOALS 

The CNI Residency seeks to support the creation of an artistic project that aligns with the vision outlined in the Cleveland Avenue Neighborhood Transformation Plan (April 2016), which aims to foster “a strong sense of community and respect for the neighborhood’s culture and history, with places and spaces for residents and visitors of all ages.” 

The CNI Resident Artist will be asked to consider and respond to the following goals as they develop their work: 

• Enable residents to explore, understand, and internalize their own relationship with the physical neighborhood and their fellow neighbors. 
• Increase residents’ understanding and engagement with the history and stories of their community. 
• Enable residents to explore, understand, and internalize their own relationship to the arts as a tool for self-expression and communication. 

CNI RESIDENT OUTPUTS 

The CNI Resident Artist will collaborate with the Public Art Commission and CNI area residents to develop and implement a project that addresses the listed residency goals. The project may include but is not limited to artistic interventions; community engagement; the identification and mapping of cultural and community assets/resources; the creation of new artwork(s); and/or artistic and cultural experiences.  

The CNI Resident Artist may employ a range of media, including paint, sculpture, video, audio, print, performance, archives, and other media, to produce content that reflects and engages the neighborhood’s residents. 

The residency can have temporary interventions and/or experiences, but must have at least one physical, permanent output on city-owned land in East Winston-Salem. The project must have a strong community engagement component, including a clear plan for how the community will participate and be engaged in the development or creation of the project.  

The CNI Resident Artist may engage and/or collaborate with other artists, culture bearers, subject matter experts, community leaders, and arts and culture organizations to meet the residency goals. 

Additional outputs for this project can reach beyond East Winston-Salem to include an art exhibition at a local art institution and an artist talk, depending on the nature of the project. Those commitments would be separate from the grant funds and could extend past the September 2027 deadline.  

ELGIBILITY  

This project requires a commitment to working collaboratively and a dedication to socially engaged art. Applicants must have a portfolio or body of work that demonstrates their ability to align their creative practice with communities.  

This call is open to artists, curators, and other creative professionals. Applicants must:  

• Be 18 years of age or older  
• This opportunity is open to individuals and teams who live or work in the United States.  
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and have unexpired documents that establish employment eligibility.   
• Have experience managing a budget of at least $50,000 or previous participation in a large-scale project that shows the ability to manage multiple facets within a project. 
• Have a socially engaged art practice. 
• Be available to spend a minimum of 2 months on-site during the research phase (accrued over time or consecutively) and then be available for additional time at least once a month after phase 1, which will be determined in the planning phase. 

BUDGET 

The maximum all-inclusive project budget is $300,000, which includes $60,000 in artist services and $240,000 for all costs associated with the implementation of the project, including but not limited to insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation and installation.  

No additional funding will be provided. This is not a full-time employment opportunity. The CNI Resident Artist may have other employment during the residency.   

APPLICATION TIMELINE  

• RFQ Post Date: March 30, 2026 
• Project Questions Deadline: April 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET (Submit questions here.)
• Answers Posted: April 29, 2026 
• RFQ Application Deadline: June 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET  
• Finalist Interviews: July 20, 2026 

For more information, please read the full RFQ here.