Des Moines Parks and Recreation Seeks Mural Artist for Cheatom Park

Des Moines, Iowa

- Tuesday, February 10, 2026 -
The City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a local artist or artist team to design court murals that will be installed at Cheatom Park, one on the existing basketball court and one on the reconstructed futsal court, as part of the upcoming park improvements. The mural project will create a welcoming place and a dynamic community destination within the Des Moines park system.

The goal of the Cheatom Park Mural Project is to create a piece of artwork accessible to all park visitors and seamlessly woven into the fabric of the neighborhood and the park. To foster the relationship between the Parks and Recreation Department and the local artist community, the project team is looking to commission a local artist/team to develop a mural design that responds to the project goals and community input. Funding for this project was provided by a public art grant from BRAVO Greater Des Moines and generous donations from the Friends of Des Moines Parks and Musco Lighting.

"The Cheatom Park Mural Project is an opportunity to celebrate the Cheatom Park neighborhood/community, local artwork, and the City of Des Moines Park system in a highly visible way," said Aaron Graves, Park Planner II with Des Moines Parks and Recreation. These court murals will be the finishing touch to the upcoming improvement project and enhance the park's identity through their design and response to community input. The mural project will also feature one of the best backdrops in our system, with a view of the downtown skyline. "

Next Steps

To determine the artist/team, the project team will use a two-phase process to select the awardee:

Phase One: RFQ (Request for Qualifications)

• Artists/teams eligible for participation can submit required items until March 9, 2026 (5:00 pm CST)
• A selection panel will determine a total of five (5) finalists to move on to Phase Two

Phase Two: RFP (Request for Proposals)

• The five (5) selected finalists will be invited to develop design concepts and proposals for the project.
• Each finalist will receive a $500 upon completing the RFP requirements.
• The selection panel will determine who will receive the final project.

The artist/team awarded the mural project will have the opportunity for a commission of up to $9,500.00 (not to exceed). The commission will need to include all items outlined and required within the RFQ documents.

How to Apply

Entrants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age or older on the date of RFQ submission.
• Must have a primary residency or be employed or operate their business within the jurisdictional limits of the following Central Iowa counties: Polk, Dallas, Madison, Warren, Marion, Jasper, Marshall, Story, and Boone.
• The City of Des Moines, Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, BRAVO Greater Des Moines, and Friends of Des Moines Parks employees, board members, or immediate family members of are ineligible to apply.

Emerging artists are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to artists whose work is historically underrepresented and/or is not currently represented by public art in Central Iowa.

Artists or teams interested in the Cheatom Park mural project can submit qualifications for consideration at DSM.city/CheatomMuralRFQ.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) deadline is March 9 at 5:00 p.m. CST.

Project Background

As part of the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan (LiveDSM), the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department has prioritized public art across the park system in recent years. Efforts have included the Art Corridor installations (2021 and 2024), the Evelyn K. Davis Park shelter mural (2023), the Evelyn K. Davis basketball court mural (2024), the Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center mural (2026), and now the Cheatom Park court murals.

Cheatom Park is a 3.5-acre neighborhood park located just north of downtown Des Moines. According to a recent ParkServe report, the park serves approximately 2,620 residents within a 10-minute walk. The park is named in tribute to Joe Anna E. Cheatom for her dedication to civil rights, community service, and the fight for justice.

The site currently features an open-air shelter with seating, restrooms, a playground, a basketball court, a mini-pitch futsal court, mature shade trees, and views of the downtown Des Moines skyline. Several improvements are planned throughout summer and fall 2026, including a new playground and equipment with a volunteer build anticipated in late fall, reconstructed and resurfaced sport courts, accessible walkways, picnic and bench pads, added site amenities such as benches, picnic tables, and bike racks, expanded tree planting and native vegetation, utility upgrades, and site grading. The court murals will serve as a visual centerpiece within these broader park enhancements.

Learn more about Cheatom Park improvements at DSM.city/CheatomPark.

For additional information about Des Moines Parks and Recreation projects and programs, visit DSM.city/Parks.

Contact
Ally MacLean
Communications Specialist II, City Manager's Office
(515) 689-8819
[email protected]

About the City of Des Moines

The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital, and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 46 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.

Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety, and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live there. Visit DSM.city, Facebook, and X for more information.