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Questions? Contact the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) at
muralregistry@cityofchicago.org
MURAL REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS
PURPOSE
The City of Chicago celebrates the long and rich tradition of murals and other street art, and recognizes
the enormous contribution these artworks make to the City’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. The
Mural Registry was established to protect, preserve, and celebrate murals as important public assets.
The Mural Registry is managed and maintained by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
(DCASE).
WHAT IS A MURAL?
Section 7-28-065 of the Municipal Code of Chicago describes graffiti as an inscription, drawing, mark, or
design that is etched, painted, sprayed, or drawn directly upon the exterior of any building or other
structure and is visible from the public way.
While this is the technical language from the ordinance, DCASE has chosen to use the word “mural” as
an umbrella term that includes both graffiti and art murals, mentioned in Section 13-20-550 of the
Municipal Code of Chicago, that have been registered or that people seek to register.
ELIGIBILITY
The Mural Registry catalogues and acknowledges the City’s growing collection of murals, and will include
a list of completed murals created on private and public property. Property owners, artists, and community
members may register existing murals so that they may be catalogued in the Registry.
Existing murals on private property: A property owner may apply to DCASE to register a mural
by submitting a completed application along with the requested supporting documentation. Artists
or organizations involved in the creation of an existing mural on private property may submit an
application with a letter of approval or the signature of the property owner for the application to be
considered complete.
Existing murals on City-owned property: Members of the community (including artists and
organizations involved in the creation of an existing mural) and aldermen may submit an
application to DCASE to register murals that exist on City-owned property. Applicants may be
asked to demonstrate proof of proper approvals and permits received in the creation of the
existing mural before the mural will be added to the Registry.
Permission walls on private and City-owned property: Artists and property owners may
submit applications to register “permission walls,” i.e., exterior walls that have been specifically
designated and approved by property owners for artists to paint on a rotating basis.
REVIEW CRITERIA
DCASE will only review completed applications submitted with the required documentation. In addition,
applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria before being admitted to the Mural Registry.
Murals must be in good condition.
Murals may not be commercial in nature and may not depict a product placement for a business.