The City partners with community agencies to transform walls that are frequently tagged with graffiti into beautiful artistic expressions. Experience around the world has shown that public art can be an effective way to combat graffiti and blight while beautifying the community and creating a sense of place. Murals provide unique art that speaks to the community, tell the history and reflect the culture of varied neighborhoods. These efforts can deter graffiti vandalism and encourage local artists to get involved in the community.
To learn more about the Graffiti to Mural program and how to get involved, contact the Sustainability and Resilience Division at 850-891-7007.
SITE SELECTION
It is the intent of the City’s mural program to install murals in areas where there is repeated graffiti tagging, as inspected by the Code Enforcement division. Site selection for murals considers an equitable distribution of public art throughout the city that enhances and activates previously blighted spaces. Preference is given to sites with high visibility, public accessibility, and the ability to enhance the overall public environment and pedestrian streetscape experience.
While murals may be used to establish landmarks and neighborhood gateways, they are considered public art, not billboards or signs. Some locations may be inappropriate for murals, due to safety issues, potential maintenance problems, or complicated building geometry. Murals containing logos, slogans, or advertising messages of any kind are considered signs and must comply with the sign ordinance.
Private property owners desiring to utilize this program to install a mural on their property are required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Tallahassee.
PARTNERS
The City partners with other agencies to help remove graffiti and when feasible, collaborates with owners and volunteers to install an alternative artistic expression that can deter future tagging. These agencies assist in identifying ideal locations, artists, and content for murals.
LEMOYNE ARTS
Creating community through art, the mission of LeMoyne Arts is to promote education, interest and participation in the contemporary visual arts. Since 1963, LeMoyne Arts has been the premier private, non-profit art organization in Tallahassee and our region, supported primarily by memberships and gifts. Founded to promote the work of local artists and to preserve Florida’s art heritage, LeMoyne Arts continues its mission through many programs and services offered. The City of Tallahassee has partnered with LeMoyne to engage volunteers, promote projects, and identify emerging artists who can design murals.
LeMoyne.org
COUNCIL ON CULTURAL ARTS
COCA, the Council on Culture & Arts, is a non-profit organization that serves as the facilitator and voice for the arts and cultural industry in Florida's capital area. COCA provides information and promotes the arts and culture to both citizens and visitors. COCA has been serving the area since 1985. More than thirty years ago, the community created COCA as their designated local arts agency. The capital area’s only umbrella agency for arts and culture, COCA works with and for those who produce, invest in, and experience the arts and culture in our area. The City of Tallahassee has partnered with COCA to assist in the call for professional muralists to transform blighted areas with repeated tagging into works of art.
coca.tallahasseearts.org
DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
The Downtown Improvement Authority (TDIA) promotes downtown Tallahassee as a growing destination for development – business, entrepreneurship, ongoing education, resources, and entertainment for any individual. The TDIA was created in 1971. The Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority, its community partners, and stakeholders all believe that Tallahassee’s Downtown must be a vibrant place to live, work and play while continuing to preserve the history, charm and progress that our city is known for. The City has partnered with the TDIA to identify volunteers that will assist with identifying and abating graffiti within the downtown area.
TallahasseeDowntown.com
Contact us if you are interested in partnering on a mural.