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Mailing Address

Development Services Dept
Code Enforcement Unit
P.O. Box 839966
San Antonio, Texas
78283-3966

Request for Code Services

Residents: 311
Outside: (210) 207 6000

Office Phone Numbers

Phone: (210) 207 7881
FAX: (210) 207 0199

Graffiti - Murals

Don't Let Graffiti BOG You Down!

Four projects will be awarded $500, on a yearly basis, in free latex paint to be used to create and apply a paint-brush mural to a chronically tagged wall or surface. Applications along with an Essay for the Brush Over Graffiti (BOG) Project can be emailed to Lisa.McKenzie@sanantonio.gov. Click on the link for more information and the application!
Application...
More Information on Creating a Mural...

Art in Action, After School Program 2011!

This year's after school program, geared towards youth in grades 9-12th, took place over 16 weeks at Our Lady of the Lake University. The format differed from the 2010 Summer Program, in that several local artists mentored the youth in various forms of self-expression to include mosaic tiles, art with found objects, abstract and a group mural. Special thanks to Jane Madrigal, Program Director and April Atkinson, Our Lady of the Lake Visual Arts Chair and local artists and mentors; Bernice Appelin-Williams, David Blancas, Jose Cosme, Jose Esquivel, Deborah Kuetzpalin and Roland Mazuca.

An Art Exhibit and Silent Auction were held on June 23, 2011 at the Gallista Gallery. Money raised through the silent auction will be used to purchase art store gift cards so that the youth can continue to be creative, legally.

Art in Action 2010!

As a response to citizens' requests to engage youth, the City of San Antonio's Graffiti Abatement Program (GAP) partnered with Our Lady of the Lake University to offer an intensive 8-week art program for at-risk youth ages 14-21 years. Working under the supervision of a professional artist, Jane Madrigal, the 20 kids (many of them taggers) experienced gallery and mural tours before tackling a full summer of planning and applying 6 paint-brush murals. Elmendorf Dam, the mural site, was a chronically tagged drainage area that was constantly a neighborhood eyesore. With some careful planning, the participants created each and every panel with the community in mind. The summer project culminated into a mural unveiling and screen-print auction in August, where Councilman Ray Lopez and former Councilwoman Delicia Herrera presented each participant with a certificate. The auction proceeds were used to buy art store gift cards for each participant, in hopes that they will continue to use their creativity legally.

Click on the picture below to see the 2010 Slide Show!

Painting community murals

Painting over graffiti can be a time-consuming task as well as a costly one since graffiti tends to resurface over and over again. Murals are a way to beautify and showcase a community. In large, urban cities, the painting of murals is a positive way to fight the eyesore of graffiti. Graffiti does not only send a negative message about your community, but it also works against economic development.

	A community mural allows youth as well as adults to work together and paint a mural in their own neighborhood. It is important that a neighborhood first looks at the resources that exist in their own community such as churches, schools, artists, organized groups and others. A community mural is an artistic and tangible project where everyone in the community has input into not only the subject matter, but in the design itself and the actual painting of it. A community mural establishes ownership of the art piece among the neighborhood residents and helps restore community pride and economic development. It also allows neighborhood youth to be seen as assets rather than liabilities. (Click on photos for larger images of existing community murals in San Antonio)

After the mural has been painted, it is important that a group is identified to perform the maintenance on the mural, especially if graffiti does resurface.

Finally, it is important to recognize the neighborhood volunteers in front of their peers at a small dedication ceremony.

Arts in the Community

Another potential resource for community organizations to paint murals is the "Arts in the Community" (AIC) Program. The Office of Cultural Affairs established this program in 1999 to help broaden the access to quality arts programming throughout San Antonio's diverse neighborhoods. Its purpose is to support partnerships between artists and arts and non-arts organizations in all sectors of the community where arts can help to organize and improve neighborhoods, foster community development and stimulate local economies.

Since the program's inception, Cultural Affairs has awarded $362,000 in grants to 47 community arts and cultural projects, reaching all 10 San Antonio City Council districts. The program has had a direct impact on the lives of more than 19,000 individuals by providing art services that have included public art and performances, arts in education programs, neighborhood cultural and heritage initiatives, community art festivals, mural programs and after-school art curriculum.

Eligibility requirements:
The Arts in Community Program is a recurring program every two years. Applications will be taken in 2011 for the next round of grants.

Eligible applicants must establish a working partnership between an artist/cultural organization or individual and a community organization or entity. These partnerships may consist of arts and cultural organizations, individuals, neighborhood and homeowner associations, public schools, universities, community centers, hospital and care facilities, churches, or other community organizations. At least one partner must have IRS designated 501(c)(3) status. A fiscal sponsor may also be used for those who do not hold their own tax exempt 501(c)(3) status.