Regardless of our background, income, or art experience, we can come together to create and enjoy art in public spaces.

Established in 1995, Urban ArtWorks is a Washington-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to engage youth, artists, and communities in the creation of public art that inspires connections and honors their voices.

“A lot of people have stopped and they’ve helped paint, they’ve talked to us, we’ve had people honking at us because they like what we’ve been doing. I think somebody on the bus pulled down the window, on a bus, to shout, ‘You guys are doing amazing!' So, I think the community aspect is one of my favorite parts about it.” - Youth Artist

Each viewer is as unique as the artwork on display. You are a work of art.

More About Urban ArtWorks

Urban ArtWorks pays youth and artists for their work to enhance our public spaces. Through paid mural apprentice programs, partnerships with K-12 schools, and commissioned and community murals, we are breaking barriers - one wall at a time!

Youth Programs

All youth programs are free to join! Youth earn a stipend for completing the Mural Apprentice Program (MAP) and can take on their own commissions during the year-round Base Crew. Through Urban ArtWorks, youth design and install murals for partnering nonprofits and social service agencies.

Urban ArtWorks also partners professional teaching artists with local K-12 schools. These school-based mural programs are tailored to the needs of classrooms and whole school communities.

“The main places I was hanging out [were], school, and home and maybe work. Third spaces are so important, and it’s a place where you can exist….It’s also a place where you can cultivate yourself, and being able to go to the studio and draw and talk to other people who like to create and share ideas, is like - it’s so fulfilling, and definitely something everyone should be able to be involved in.” - Youth Artist

Artists

We contract teaching artists to work with youth as well as professional artists to create public artworks with businesses, nonprofit agencies, and community groups.

Communities

Our commissioned, community murals engage our partners’ employees, clients, and the wider community through volunteer paint days and events. We worked with over 750 volunteers in 2024! If you’re interested in volunteering, sign up on our website: urbanartworks.org!

You

We invite you to join us in celebrating the transformative power of public art that reaches far beyond the people who design and install each piece. Create more ripples by donating to Urban ArtWorks or sharing our campaign today!

Art for All

The Ripple Effect

Team Members