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The walls feature truly unique works of art, personal and political expressions about community and global issues. It has a fickle nature and is constantly changing, sometimes, many times a day. It has become a sacred place for many - artists, locals and tourists. It is a place where you can get lost in the art - and also found.
Art Alley, located between 6th and 7th, and Main and Saint Joseph Streets in Rapid City, emerged as an organic, community gallery in 2003. In the beginning artists hung largely canvas artworks on the walls, and over time, evolved to painting directly on the walls. A group of passionate artists and community members worked with city officials to nurture this organic art form, and Art Alley was born. |
Interested in painting in Art Alley?
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Not only are permits simple to obtain, they are FREE! The permit system falls under a city ordinance to ensure that Art Alley is a place for creative expression.
When the permit system was put into place, the Rapid City Arts Council agreed to facilitate the writing of permits for artists interested in creating in the Alley. Questions? Call 605.394.4101 x3 |
Mural by Jeremy Fields | 2020
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Painting Site Locations
How It works
Come in to the Dahl Arts Center to fill out the permit application!
The procedure
- Permits are site specific. Artists are required to request permission from RCAC to paint at a specific location. Once approved, artists will have been granted permission to paint on that location only (see site-map Below). When you come to get your form, please come with your project idea in mind!
- Some buildings are BPO - BY PERMISSION ONLY! Artists are required to contact the owner of the building they wish to paint on to request their permission. If a group/team of artists plan to work on a piece together, each artist must receive permission from the owner of the building. (School/group art projects are required to apply for a group permit.)
- Once permission has been granted by the Owner, the artist will need to receive a signed authorization form. The RCAC, in partnership with the Art Alley Owners and the City of Rapid City, have agreed to act as Art Alley permit facilitators. The signed authorization form will need to be hand delivered, by the artist, to the Dahl Arts Center, 713 7th Street in Rapid City. Use the Kansas City Street entrance. The artist will need to speak directly to a staff member in the RCAC Education Department to finalize the permit process. The artist will present the signed authorization form, and if required, the draft proposal, to the Facilitator, who will verify with the Owner that documentation has been approved.
- Not all buildings can be painted on. Some building owners have opted out and do not want their building painted on. Buildings may have signage to indicate if artists are able to paint (with permission) or if the owner has opted out. Other buildings will direct artists to contact the Rapid City Arts Council ((RCAC) if the Owner has selected the RCAC to facilitate permit requests for their location/building. Signage May read:
- No Painting Allowed
Painting Allowed By Permit Only. See Building Owner
Painting Allowed By Permit Only. See Rapid City Arts Council
- No Painting Allowed
- Owners/RCAC reserve the right to request a draft proposal (specifics on design, size, location, type of work etc.), prior to agreeing to approve a permit.
- The artist will need to present a valid driver’s license, or state or government issued ID, and sign a Liability and Release Form and Art Alley Policies Form.
- After verification and paperwork, the Facilitator will issue a Permit. The artist will be required to keep the Permit on hand at all times when painting. The Permit will include the artist‘s name, address of the approved location, start and end date and authorization signature of Facilitator.
NOTICE: Failure to comply with the Permit System in Art Alley may result in sanctions to include fines, arrest and jail, and refusal of future permits.
the policy
- Artists are required to have a permit to paint in Art Alley. If more than one artist is working on the same piece, each artist must have a permit. School/group art projects are required to apply for a group permit. Painting without a permit is not allowed.
- Painting permits are site specific. Artists with permits are authorized to paint only in the area(s) designated on the permit and map. Roof top access, meters and utility boxes are strictly off limits. PLEASE SEE PDF AND MAP BELOW TO SELECT YOUR PERMIT SITE.
- Respect private/public property. Buildings in Art Alley are privately owned. The alley is part of the City right of way. Clean up after yourself and others. All used cans, caps, gloves, and other painting materials must be taken with you and disposed of off-site. Damage to property could result in fines.
- Climbing on dumpsters is prohibited. Dumpsters are leased and paid for by property owners. Standing on dumpsters will cause damage which you are responsible for.
- Profane, obscene or offensive imagery or language is not permitted. Artistic content in the Alley must remain appropriate to all ages. We encourage creative and clever expression and advocacy, but it must be expressed through those parameters.
- Art Alley is a working alley. Delivery trucks and private vehicles utilize the Alley throughout the day, and building/business owners and renters use the Alley to access their parking areas. Avoid painting near cars. Be CAUTIOUS of overspray, (spray paint particles) from spray paint cans. Wind can carry overspray to nearby vehicles and property from several feet away and cause damage. You are responsible for damage to private and public property.
For more information call
605.394.4101 x3
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a permit to paint here?
Yes. Please look at the "Procedure" tab above to learn how to get a permit.
How do you know where to paint here?
Art Alley is continually changing, and that's a good thing. It stays fresh. There is, however, a golden rule - Be prepared to make an equal or greater effort as what you're painting over.
ALSO - please check out the map at the bottom of the page to see our site locations.
You may not be Van Gogh, and that's okay. We still want you to be able to express yourself here, and we believe that if you are at least making the same effort as what you're covering up, the quality of Art Alley will remain strong and interesting.
ALSO - please check out the map at the bottom of the page to see our site locations.
You may not be Van Gogh, and that's okay. We still want you to be able to express yourself here, and we believe that if you are at least making the same effort as what you're covering up, the quality of Art Alley will remain strong and interesting.
- A little further elaboration - A mural that is well thought out and executed should be given a respectable amount of time to be enjoyed by the community. It's not a bad idea to date your work. Some things will last for days, and some for months.
- DON'T SCRAWL OVER MURALS - Taking 5 seconds to write your name over the top of a mural that took someone all day to create does two things. It destroys both the effort of the artist, and the goal of what we are trying to achieve in Art Alley.
can you paint anything you want?
No. Although we encourage self expression, that expression must be respectful of Art Alley's goal of being an asset to the community, and an attraction that everyone from tourists to local families with kids can enjoy. We do not tolerate vulgar, discriminative, or sexually explicit work in Art Alley, and will remove it immediately. When you come to get your permit, please come with your design in mind so we can approve it.
when did art alley start?
While there are indications that graffiti and artistic expression in the Alley dates back to the time the buildings were originally built, the seed was planted in 2003 and took root and grew into "Art Alley" in 2004.
Can you go on top of the buildings?
No. This is considered by building/business owners and the police to be trespassing on private property. Accessing roofs can cause damage to structures and create safety and liability issues. If caught you will be ticketed and possibly arrested for trespassing. Even building owners who support the lush creativity in the Alley do not allow trespassers on their roofs.
