Call for Artists: Alternating Currents Mural Fest Returns with $5,000 Artist Stipends and Five New Downtown Walls
- AC Crew
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Alternating Currents (AC) and Quad City Arts are now accepting qualifications from artists and muralists for the 2025 Alternating Currents Mural Fest, a vibrant public art initiative bringing large-scale murals to downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island this August. Five artists or artist teams will be selected to create murals on five separate walls, each receiving a $5,000 stipend for their work.
AC Mural Fest is led by placemaking partners: Downtown Davenport Partnership, Rock Island Downtown Alliance, Downtown Bettendorf Organization in conjunction with Quad City Arts. This project is part of the broader Alternating Currents Festival, a four-day celebration of music, film, comedy and visual art that activates over 40 venues across the Quad Cities.
“Alternating Currents is about showcasing the creative energy of this region and inviting the world to see it,” said Alisha Espey, Festival Director. “These murals will live beyond the festival weekend and become part of the visual fabric of our downtowns. Expanding AC Mural Fest into Bettendorf and Rock Island for the first time is a huge milestone, it reflects the collaborative spirit of the Quad Cities and our shared commitment to building creative, welcoming places on both sides of the river.”
“We’re proud to support this year’s AC Mural Fest as it expands into new communities,” said Brian Allen, Executive Director of Quad City Arts. “It’s exciting to see more public art activated across the region, and we’re honored to help bring artists’ visions to life in these dynamic downtown spaces.”
Murals will be installed between August 10–17, 2025, during the week of the Alternating Currents Festival. Artists will be matched with one of five pre-selected walls located in highly visible corridors of the Quad Cities, including:
B&B Shooting Supplies | 2152 State St., Bettendorf, IA
Marigold Resources | 308 E. River Dr., Davenport, IA
River Center Parking Ramp - pedestrian walkway on 2nd floor | 102 E. 2nd St., Davenport, IA
WHBF | 231 18th St., Rock Island, IL
M&J International Market | 1706 3rd Ave., Rock Island, IL
Artists have creative freedom over their design, theme and color palette, with final approval from project partners and property owners. Wall preparation, lodging and festival hospitality access will be provided.
Applications are due by Monday, June 30, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Artists must submit qualifications and portfolio samples online or via email to Quad City Arts.
TO APPLY OR LEARN MORE:
ABOUT ALTERNATING CURRENTS
Alternating Currents festival was founded in 2017 by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber. Now powered by DDP and expanded through placemaking partnerships with Downtown Bettendorf Organization and Rock Island Downtown Alliance, the festival thrives thanks to the many partners and businesses who collaborate to deliver a dynamic and inclusive experience.
With more than 200 performances and events across music, film, comedy, and visual art, Alternating Currents transforms downtown spaces into stages, galleries, and gathering places. Nearly all programming is open to the public with no ticket required, inviting audiences to discover a wide range of creative experiences throughout the weekend.
This year’s leading supporters include Presenting Sponsors Regional Development Authority (RDA) and Rhythm City Casino Resort, as well as Major Partners Rubberstamps.net and Scott County Regional Authority, and Accessibility Sponsor Bechtel Trust. Additional programming and supporting sponsors include Estes Construction, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Nature’s Treatment of Illinois, The Last Picture House, MidAmerican Energy and Express Employment Professionals. Hive Event Consulting serves as a producing partner. Media Partners include KWQC, Quad-City Times & Dispatch-Argus, Townsquare Media, Planet 93.9 and WQPT.
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