The Art Alley Permit System. Part 3 of 4. "How it works."

Over the next four days, we will be providing detailed information about how the Art Alley permit system works, and why it came to be.

Part 3. How It Works.

​Here’s how the Art Alley Permit System works -
There are three different classifications, and one of these classifications will be posted on each building in Art Alley for clarification.

1. PAINTING PROHIBITED. A few building owners have opted to pull out of Art Alley entirely. It is our hope that with effort and cooperation from the community they will eventually engage in the creative process again. However, we will honor and support their request.
2. PAINTING PERMIT REQUIED. CONTACT BUILDING OWNER. Some Owners want to meet the artists, some will even ask for a design concept. It will be the Owners perogative to grant the artist permission to paint.
3. PAINTING PERMIT REQUED. CONTACT RAPID CITY ARTS COUNCIL. Some Owners do not want or have the time to be directly involved with the artists and have asked the RCAC to facilitate the process on their behalf.

Once granted permission by the Owners or RCAC (as determined by building signage), all artists will need to complete the following steps to obtain a free permit.

1. Bring written permission to the Dahl Arts Center, Kansas City entrance and ask for Tyler Read or Naomi Even-Aberle.
2. Provide identification to be kept on record in case of damages or improper use of Permit.
3. Review the guidelines for painting in Art Alley.
4. Sign a liability waive, to protect themselves and the Owners.
5. Display Permit at all times while creating in Art Alley.

 
That is the Art Alley Permit System in a nutshell. It’s not a secret plot to take your artistic expression away. It’s not a power grab, and it’s not about money. It’s about keeping a public art space alive and finding new ways for it to flourish.
 
Some argue that permits will not stop vandals from destroying artwork and private property in Art Alley. To some extent, that is correct. Art Alley is a public space and there are no guarantees. However, permit systems have worked in other communities to reduce incidents of vandalism in a public areas, and it can work in Rapid City.
 
The Art Alley Permit System will provide clear guidelines to anyone interested in utilizing the space creatively, and will support law enforcement efforts by clearly distinguishing artists from vandals.  

Check back tomorrow for the next piece in our four part series about the permit system, and please join us for a public reception with artists, business and building owners for the permit system on Tuesday, April 12th from 5:30-7pm at The Dahl Arts Center.