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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.
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Questions? Contact the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) at
muralregistry@cityofchicago.org
Murals will not be registered if they contain known gang symbols or depict an unreasonable or
offensive act, utterance, gesture, or display that creates a clear and present danger of a breach of
peace or imminent threat of violence.
Murals may not depict material harmful to minors.
REGISTRATION
Upon review and approval of an application, DCASE will send notice of approval to the contacts listed in
the application along with an assigned unique Mural Registration ID number and instructions for
placement of the Mural Registry emblem. Within 30 days of receipt of instructions, applicants must
provide documentation of the emblem affixed to the mural to complete the registration process.
MAINTENANCE
The City shall have no duty to maintain registered murals or to protect them against vandalism.
REMOVAL CRITERIA
An owner who wishes to remove a mural from the Registry should notify DCASE at least seven days
before removal or alteration of that mural. DCASE reserves the right to remove murals from the Registry
for various reasons, including if they are found to have prohibited content or have become significantly
altered or damaged. The Department of Streets and Sanitation, in consultation with DCASE, may cover or
remove registered murals if conditions requiring this step occur.
MURAL REGISTRATION APPLICATION
To be registered, murals must be in good condition. A separate application is required for each mural on
a site. A single application may be submitted for a permission wall.
Date of application ________________________________________
Applicant (Organization or Individual)
Organization Name (if applicable) ______________________________________
First Name ________________________________________
Last Name ________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________
Email ________________________________________
Address ________________________________________
Website ________________________________________
Preferred Method of Contact ________________________________________
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Questions? Contact the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) at
muralregistry@cityofchicago.org
Artist(s)
First Name ________________________________________
Last Name ________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________
Email ________________________________________
Address ________________________________________
Website ________________________________________
Preferred Method of Contact ________________________________________
Property Owner (Organization or Individual)
Organization Name (if applicable) ______________________________________
First Name ________________________________________
Last Name ________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________
Email ________________________________________
Address ________________________________________
Preferred Method of contact ________________________________________
ARTWORK INFORMATION
Location of mural or permission wall________________________________
Project Address ________________________________________________
Ward __________
Title ________________________________________________
Media Paint Mosaic tile/ceramic
Dimensions, including height, width, and depth _______________
Year Mural was Completed _______________
Description of mural / permission wall site
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Questions? Contact the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) at
muralregistry@cityofchicago.org
SIGNATURES
Artists or organizations submitting an application must include a letter of approval from the
property owner or submit the owner’s physical signature with the application for the application to
be considered complete.
Applicant certification:
I, as the primary Mural Registry applicant, certify under penalty of perjury that the information provided in
this application is correct and true to the best of my knowledge, and I have read and will abide by the
Mural Registry Requirements.
________________________________________
(Specify relationship: e.g. artist, property owner, commissioning organization representative)
____________________________________________________
Signature Name (print) Date
Property Owner Certification:
I certify under penalty of perjury that I am the owner or official representative of this project property. I
further certify that I gave permission for the placement of the mural and/or permission wall as presented
in this application, and have read, understand, and will abide by the Mural Registry Requirements.
______________________________________________________________________________
Signature Name (print) Title (if applicable) Date
Confirmation of Maintenance Responsibility:
I confirm that I have agreed to serve as the primary contact for mural and/or permission wall maintenance
and graffiti issues.
________________________________________
(Specify relationship: e.g. artist, property owner, community organization, funder)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Signature Name (print) Date
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Questions? Contact the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) at
muralregistry@cityofchicago.org
ATTACHMENTS
Photographs of Mural*
a) Images should document mural in its entirety (single file or multiple files for larger artworks)
b) Images should document mural in context of surrounding site
c) JPEGs required (minimum 300 dpi at 5X7 inches)
*Permission wall applicants may submit up to three recent images of artwork, and are encouraged to
update DCASE staff as artwork changes.
Documentation of Permission
Required in lieu of property owner signature on application:
Letter of Authorization or signed agreement from Property Owner (private or City entity)
Please clearly title all attachments (e.g. RiveraMural_1.jpg, Property Owner Authorization.pdf)
SUBMISSION:
Digital submissions of the application and attachments are required. Please submit completed application
package via email to: muralregistry@cityofchicago.org
FOR DCASE USE ONLY: Final Approval / Mural Registration Number
Upon approval of this application, DCASE will supply a registration number:
DCASE Authorized Signature___________________________________________________
Registration Number ___________________________
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