The vibrant downtowns of Bettendorf, Davenport and Rock Island are inviting artists to help transform business windows into festive holiday displays that bring seasonal cheer to our downtowns.
Artist Match Program Stipend: $300 per business location
Artists participating through the Artist Match Program may be matched with one or more participating downtown businesses and will receive a $300 stipend for each location assigned through the program.
Artists who already have relationships with businesses within the participating downtown districts may also arrange projects directly with those businesses. In those cases, the business hires and pays the artist directly and the $300 Artist Match Program stipend does not apply. Eligible projects can still be included in Deck the Downtowns marketing, community voting and other program promotion. Please note any businesses you already plan to work with or intend to approach in your application.
Direct partnership projects must be located within the participating Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO) or Rock Island Downtown Alliance (RIDA) district boundaries.
If you already have an eligible business you plan to work with or would like to approach directly, please let us know in your application. You may still be considered for additional locations through the Artist Match Program.
Submission Deadline: Friday, October 2
Notification of Program Acceptance: Friday, October 9
Business Matches & Project Assignments: Week of October 19
Project Deadline: Work MUST be completed by Thursday, November 19
Project Requirements:
- Many of the sites are historic buildings. Artists must take great care to respect the building's integrity.
- Masking all trim is mandatory.
- Please consider ease of removal when designing your pieces. Avoid painting to the edges of the window or filling the entire pane of glass.
- Before beginning work, artists must have a preliminary meeting with the point of contact at the business/location to discuss the art concept.
- Artists may participate at multiple business locations.
Materials: Artists are responsible for supplying their own paint and materials.
Water based paint is recommended (examples include: Apple Barrel, Folk Art and Hobby Lobby Brand Acrylics).
Voting and Prizes:
Community voting will take place from November 19 through January 1. Artists or teams receiving the most votes in each downtown will be awarded downtown gift cards.
How to Apply:
Please submit a brief artist statement, your availability for Artist Match Program assignments, relevant work samples and information about any downtown businesses you already plan to work with or intend to approach.
Acceptance into the program does not guarantee a specific number of Artist Match Program assignments.
For any inquiries or further information, please contact Haley Moore at hmoore@quadcitieschamber.com