Mendota to receive $25,000 grant for 2 new murals, poetry sidewalk project

The city of Mendota announced it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts for $25,000.

The Grants for Arts Projects award will support the creation of two new murals along with a poetry sidewalk project all in downtown Mendota. A poetry sidewalk allows the city to put text onto the surface of a sidewalk, showcasing literature.

Mendota was one of 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awarded nationwide in 2025 totaling more than $31.8 million.

“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D.

Survey results from the Community Heart and Soul project conducted by Reimagine Mendota indicated that residents desire more artwork and color throughout downtown. In response to this request, the Mendota City Council announced in the fall of 2024 the establishment of a Mendota Arts Commission, along with dedicated funding for the initiative. Applications for the Commission were recently accepted, and the members will be appointed within the next month.

“This initiative presents another great opportunity to bring life and color to our downtown,” Mayor Dave Boelk said. “By establishing the Mendota Arts Commission, we demonstrate our commitment to the arts while harnessing our residents’ passions to further develop and manage public art in our community.”

For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.