Public Arts Commission advances mural project on Main Street; seeks Iowa Arts Council funding

The Nevada Public Arts Advisory Commission updated the City Council on a proposed downtown mural and related public-art planning at the March 10 meeting. The commission said it is pursuing funding and design submissions and will coordinate with Main Street Nevada and property owners.

Wade Presley, speaking for the commission, said the group developed a mission statement to guide public-art decisions and has met monthly since early this year. The commission identified a preferred site on the north-facing wall of the Main Street Innovative Building (a wall associated with State Bank and Trust property) as its initial mural project and said it is working to secure an Iowa Arts Council grant to help fund the work.

Presley said the project grew from a Leadership Nevada class that proposed the mural; countywide and local partners will be invited into the planning process. The commission plans a “call to artists” to solicit designs, will work with building owners and Main Street Nevada on approvals, and hopes to time a public unveiling around Lincoln Highway Days if grant and partner schedules align.

No formal council action was taken on the mural at the meeting. Commission members said they will return with grant progress, artist selection processes and a community engagement timeline.

Why this matters: public art projects are intended to activate downtown, contribute to placemaking, and leverage outside funding to improve public-facing private walls. The commission’s plan frames the mural as a partnership among the commission, Main Street Nevada and local funders.