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Alternating Currents Mural Fest Request for Qualifications
Alternating Currents (ACQC) and Quad City Arts (QCA) are seeking artists or artist teams to install murals on several walls as part of the 2026 Alternating Currents Mural Fest. The walls, located in downtown Davenport, Bettendorf, and Rock Island, vary in size and scale.
About Alternating Currents
Founded in 2017, Alternating Currents is a free, multi-city festival celebrating music, film, comedy and visual art across the Quad Cities. Taking place each August, the festival activates more than 40 venues, businesses and public spaces throughout Downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island.
Powered through partnerships with downtown organizations and cultural institutions across the region, Alternating Currents highlights the creative energy of the Quad Cities while supporting artists, placemaking and community connection.
The AC Mural Fest is co-produced by Quad City Arts and supported through partnerships with the Downtown Davenport Partnership, Downtown Bettendorf Organization and Rock Island Downtown Alliance.
This year’s leading supporters of Alternating Currents include Presenting Sponsors Regional Development Authority (RDA) and Rhythm City Casino Resort, as well as Major Partners The Goldstein Family Foundation, Luxtown.com, Scott County Regional Authority, Music Partner T-Fiber, and Accessibility Sponsor Bechtel Trust. Additional support for AC Mural Fest is provided by Bent River Brewing Company.
Project Overview:
Each selected Artist will receive a $5000.00 USD stipend for completion of their assigned wall. The murals’ design, themes, and colors are at the discretion of the Artist, pending final approval of ACQC, Quad City Arts, and building owners. The murals are intended to help create vibrant, artful downtowns in all three communities in support of the Alternating Currents Festival.
Artists must be available to install murals between August 10–16, 2026.
These mural projects are undertaken by Alternating Currents with Quad City Arts serving as project facilitators.
Measurements: The walls to be completed* are as follows:
* Asterisked walls do NOT need to be fully painted. DDP and Quad City Arts will work with artist/property owner to determine the area of the wall to be painted, and reserve the right to assign/change walls.
PAYMENT
$5,000.00 USD per mural — 50% to be paid upon contract execution and 50% within two weeks of completion of the mural. This fee includes all associated costs of creation (i.e., materials, paint, transportation, meals, etc.), with up to an additional $750.00 in paint costs eligible for reimbursement.
Wall prep and elevation solutions will be provided by ACQC. Selected artists will also receive lodging for up to 7 days, as well as access to food and beverages at the AC Hospitality Lounge in downtown Davenport on Friday and Saturday, August 14-15, 2026.
DEADLINE
Qualifications shall be submitted no later than Monday, June 8, 2026 at 9:00am via Jotform below.
About Alternating Currents
Founded in 2017, Alternating Currents is a free, multi-city festival celebrating music, film, comedy and visual art across the Quad Cities. Taking place each August, the festival activates more than 40 venues, businesses and public spaces throughout Downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island.
Powered through partnerships with downtown organizations and cultural institutions across the region, Alternating Currents highlights the creative energy of the Quad Cities while supporting artists, placemaking and community connection.
The AC Mural Fest is co-produced by Quad City Arts and supported through partnerships with the Downtown Davenport Partnership, Downtown Bettendorf Organization and Rock Island Downtown Alliance.
This year’s leading supporters of Alternating Currents include Presenting Sponsors Regional Development Authority (RDA) and Rhythm City Casino Resort, as well as Major Partners The Goldstein Family Foundation, Luxtown.com, Scott County Regional Authority, Music Partner T-Fiber, and Accessibility Sponsor Bechtel Trust. Additional support for AC Mural Fest is provided by Bent River Brewing Company.
Project Overview:
Each selected Artist will receive a $5000.00 USD stipend for completion of their assigned wall. The murals’ design, themes, and colors are at the discretion of the Artist, pending final approval of ACQC, Quad City Arts, and building owners. The murals are intended to help create vibrant, artful downtowns in all three communities in support of the Alternating Currents Festival.
Artists must be available to install murals between August 10–16, 2026.
These mural projects are undertaken by Alternating Currents with Quad City Arts serving as project facilitators.
Measurements: The walls to be completed* are as follows:
- *The west wall of My Crystal Portal, 1737 Grant St., Bettendorf, IA 52722
- Approx. 75’W x 13’H - The west wall of Klemme Klassic Kars, 301 E. 3rd St., Davenport, IA 52801
- Approx. 22’W x 24’H - *The south facing wall of Bent River Brewing Company, 512 24th St, Rock Island, IL 61201
- Approx. 94’W x 14’H - Possible additional walls TBD
* Asterisked walls do NOT need to be fully painted. DDP and Quad City Arts will work with artist/property owner to determine the area of the wall to be painted, and reserve the right to assign/change walls.
PAYMENT
$5,000.00 USD per mural — 50% to be paid upon contract execution and 50% within two weeks of completion of the mural. This fee includes all associated costs of creation (i.e., materials, paint, transportation, meals, etc.), with up to an additional $750.00 in paint costs eligible for reimbursement.
Wall prep and elevation solutions will be provided by ACQC. Selected artists will also receive lodging for up to 7 days, as well as access to food and beverages at the AC Hospitality Lounge in downtown Davenport on Friday and Saturday, August 14-15, 2026.
DEADLINE
Qualifications shall be submitted no later than Monday, June 8, 2026 at 9:00am via Jotform below.
MURAL OBJECTIVES
- To celebrate and support the Alternating Currents Festival through large-scale public artworks that reinforce downtowns as creative and cultural destinations.
- To create vibrant points of interest in downtown Davenport, Rock Island, and Bettendorf that serve as must-see visual landmarks.
- To offer regional and national artists a platform to contribute meaningful, high-impact art installations that reflect their creative voice.
- To support placemaking goals through permanent artwork that contributes to each city’s identity and appeal.
- To increase public access to art by embedding creativity directly into the built environment.
TO CONSIDER
- A qualifying Artist shall have the ability to obtain all necessary licenses, permits and approvals, whenever applicable.
- Selected artists should be comfortable collaborating with Alternating Currents, Quad City Arts and property owners regarding wall conditions, materials and site-specific considerations.
- Artists should have experience with large-scale mural installation or demonstrate the ability to successfully execute work at scale.
- Selected artists may be required to provide proof of insurance prior to installation.
- Selected artists will be required to enter into a formal agreement prior to installation.
- Wall assignments are subject to change based on project needs, site conditions and partner coordination.
TIMELINE
- June 1, 2026: Deadline for questions; these shall be submitted via email to [email protected].
- Monday, June 8, 2026 at 9:00am: Deadline for submissions
- June 2026: Submissions review, Artists to be selected by late-June.
- July-August 2026: Selected Artists to work with AC, Quad City Arts, and property owner to create/finalize design. Selected Artists to meet with mural selection committee, either in person or via video conferencing, to discuss design, if needed.
- August 10-16, 2026: Murals installed to correspond with Alternating Currents Festival.
TO APPLY
Submit online at Mural Fest RFQ Submissions including:
- Name, phone number, & email.
- Website, Instagram, or other online profiles, if applicable.
- A brief bio about you as an artist and your process.
- A short, written summary of your mural work.
- Preference does NOT guarantee choice of wall.
- 3-5 samples of work, including your most recently completed mural.
- JPG only, 900 x 900 px minimum.
- Two references with contact info (optional, but strongly encouraged).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of festival organizers, arts professionals and community partners.
Selections will be based on:
- Overall artistic quality, craftsmanship and originality
- Ability to successfully execute a large-scale public mural
- Strength and clarity of artistic voice or visual style
- Appropriateness for a highly visible, public-facing installation
- Relevant mural or public art experience
- Ability to meet project timelines and collaborate with festival partners
The selection committee may request additional information or clarification from applicants during the review process.
Selected artists will work collaboratively with Alternating Currents, Quad City Arts and property owners to finalize mural concepts and wall assignments following selection. Selected artists will also be required to enter into a formal agreement prior to installation.
pHOTOS OF pROPOSED wALLS
MY CRYSTAL PORTAL (Approx. 75W’ x 13’H)
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KLEMME KLASSIC KARS (Approx. 22’W x 24’H. Note multiple surface types.)
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BENT RIVER BREWING COMPANY (Approx. 94’W x 14’H)
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