Paint the Town!

​Are you ready to Paint the Town!? Apply for Oakland’s new street mural program! After receiving 150 responses in our Request for Community Interest, OakDOT is piloting temporary street murals. Application period open from September 19th-November 30th. Streets murals can brighten and represent a neighborhood, and help strengthen community spirit. They can also potentially reduce traffic speeding, and they’re fun to make!  A street mural designed and painted by community members brings people together and adds life and surprise to our streets.

Where can Street Murals be Painted?
Street Murals approved by the program can be painted entirely on asphalt at two locations:

• At intersections of low-volume streets.
• At the midblock of streets or potentially a whole block length. 

 
I want to apply! Now what?
Great! To paint a street mural, you must complete an application using the application guidelines.  Make sure to read the rest of this guide to learn how to Paint the Town! and come to an application clinic hosted at Oakland Public Libraries. During these application clinics, community members can learn about the program and receive assistance on applications. Attending a clinic is not required to apply but we encourage you to come!

• Saturday, September 30th, 10:30am-12:00pm, Golden Gate Branch Library, 5606 San Pablo Avenue
• Tuesday, October 3rd, 5:00pm-7:00pm, 81st Avenue, 1021 81st Avenue
• Tuesday, October 10th, 4:00pm-5:30pm, West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street
• Wednesday, October 11th, 6:30pm-8:00pm, Main Library, 125 14th Street
• Saturday, October 14th, 2:00pm-3:30pm, Melrose Branch, 4805 Foothill Boulevard

 
These clinics will provide an overview of Paint the Town! and answer your questions. OakDOT will contact selected applicants on January 5, 2018 if your application is chosen.
 
Other useful facts!

• Application is free – no fee to apply
• OakDOT will select up to 30 applications
• If chosen, applicants will be responsible for paint, supplies, and street closure permits
• All applicants who apply for Paint the Town! will also be reviewed by The Oakland Fund, a local nonprofit organization, which will select projects to provide in-kind support, including a designer, paint and supplies, and the costs of the special event permit for installation (artists’ fees are not eligible). For more information about the Oakland Fund please email TheOaklandFundStreetsProgram@ gmail.com
• OakDOT will review proposed project locations to see if other street improvements—such as curb ramp upgrades—can be made by the City
• OakDOT will prioritize applications from historically disadvantaged communities. For every application received in a low-disadvantaged community, OakDOT will select 2 applications in a disadvantaged community (as determined by Metropolitan Transportation Commission Communities of Concern index)
• OakDOT will not maintain any street murals, and could need to remove murals in the future

 
Have more questions, email [email protected] and visit the website for all application materials.