Chalk The Walk Grants

Chalk The Walk Grants

On Saturday, August 15, we’re inviting you to take part in a city-wide Chalk the Walk Festival. This effort will include pavement poetry and sidewalk art done by neighbors, as well as professionals.

The goal of these grants is to provide opportunities for artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in turn add colorful art throughout Rochester, cultivating joy and positivity. Partners in this effort include the City of Rochester, the Southeastern Minnesota Poets, and RNeighbors.

Funds for the project are from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funding, originating from the federal government and allocated to the City of Rochester by the State of Minnesota. The funding approved for this effort will be used to provide projects for local artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

All ages of the general public are invited to participate on August 15, 2020, by decorating their sidewalks for the city-wide Chalk the Walk Festival (more info here). Through these grants, local artists and poets will showcase their talents around the themes of unity, collaboration, healing, and joy. 

Chalk the Walk Grants

Opportunity for local artists and poets who are not fully employed due to COVID-19 to create poetry or sidewalk chalk murals for payment in a Rochester, Minnesota, neighborhood.

  • Applicants must be artists, 17 years and older to qualify for grant and must reside or work in Rochester.
  • Grant applications are due Monday, August 10, at 5 pm, and should be emailed to rene@RNeighbors.org.
  • Applicants will be notified by Wednesday, August 12.
  • Work to be completed on the pre-determined location for the Chalk the Walk Festival by August 15 (August 16 rain date).
  • $400 for accepted sidewalk chalk murals and $100 for accepted poems to be paid upon receipt of completion form. 
  • Supplies will be purchased by RNeighbors and made available for artists at Canvas & Chardonnay including: assorted colors of soft pastels, sponges, baby wipes, and fixative.
  • Creative themes include health, equity, community, collaboration, and joy.
  • Sidewalk surface area: 4 ft x4 ft, or 16 square ft total.
  • Proper social distancing is required for chalking activities, must align with Minnesota Department of Health Guidance and Governor Walz Executive Orders.

Forms

Have a comment? Join us on Facebook!