photo by: Courtesy of the Kansas Department of Commerce

These photos are examples of the kinds of small-scale public art projects that the Kansas Department of Commerce's new grant program is intended to fund.

A new program from the state will fund public art projects in unexpected places, like fire hydrants or trash cans.

The Kansas Department of Commerce announced Tuesday the launch of a grant program to add more public art for overlooked infrastructure to create more vibrant and engaging elements for the community.

The Transformative Art for Public Spaces (TAPS) grant will have a total of $150,000 in funds available for local artists across the state to decorate certain fixtures, including electrical boxes, fire hydrants, trash cans, water utilities and other infrastructure approved by the state.

David Toland, lieutenant governor and secretary of commerce, said in a press release that the program aims to make everyday objects more visually interesting and the areas where they’re located more inviting, so that people will spend more time and money there.

“These small investments will have long-term economic benefits for communities across the state,” Toland said.

The TAPS grant offers awardees amounts of $1,500 to $2,000 per project to cover materials, supplies and artist compensation. Interested applicants are encouraged to collaborate with local artists, students and community members by offering them opportunities to contribute creatively to their communities. A maximum of five projects are allowed per applicant.

Organizations may submit proposals for multiple projects within a single application, provided each project meets the program’s guidelines. Some ideas, including signs promoting businesses, murals or large-scale wall installations, live performances or temporary art and large undertakings requiring structural modifications will not be supported by these grants.

Applicants must work with their local municipality or property owner and be permitted to create art on the proposed structure. Documentation of this permission will be required for the application.

Additional information about the application forms, project examples and resources can be found at the Department of Commerce’s website.