The City of Wauwatosa is dedicated to creating a vibrant, safe, dynamic community with thriving businesses and neighborhoods. One of the ways we are working to further achieve this goal is by providing a visually-friendly environment reflective of our community through the use of public programming and public art. 

North Avenue Mural Arts District (NoMAD)

The North Avenue Mural Arts District (NoMAD) is an initiative that brought color and creativity to the City of Wauwatosa. Artists were selected to design, install, and permanently display their artwork in our city in the form of murals. Residents of Wauwatosa interacted with the artist, shared their thoughts, and maybe even painted a little themselves. This program is more than a beautification effort — it remains our way as a city to connect to one another, our culture, and our visitors.

ART 64

Wauwatosa's signature annual event, ART 64, is the Midwest's largest bracket-style live-painting tournament. Over the course of two days, 64 artists paint live and are given just 60 minutes to paint a predetermined theme on canvas.

During each round of competition, spectators — both in-person and virtually — are encouraged to watch artists showcase their talents and vote for their favorites to advance to the next round. All participating artists are incentivized throughout the competition with the grand prize being $20,000. In addition, all paintings are available for sale through an online auction at the conclusion of the event.  The two-day event draws large crowds from all over. In 2024, the third year of the annual event, ART 64 continues to make a growing impact on the community:

• Event attendance: 11,700 (30% increase over 2023)
• Estimated economic impact: $578,727 (36% increase over 2023)

The positive effects of ART 64 allow people from various places to connect, embrace, and learn more about the arts. As a city, we are proud to have this free, family-friendly event available right here in Wauwatosa.

Wisconsin's Exclusive Thomas Dambo Troll

The Wauwatosa Tourism Commission is thrilled to announce a captivating new addition to Wauwatosa’s upcoming park on 116th Street: a giant troll sculpture crafted by the internationally acclaimed artist Thomas Dambo. This awe-inspiring artwork is set to become a unique and enchanting landmark for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Thomas Dambo, renowned for his larger-than-life sculptures made from recycled materials, has captivated audiences worldwide with his imaginative creations. His vision of placing a troll sculpture in every state makes the Wauwatosa installation particularly special, as it will be his exclusive piece in Wisconsin. The giant sculpture will be installed in Spring 2025.

Why Public Art?

• Establishes a sense of place and identity
• Beautifies areas of the city
• Prevents tagging
• Gives artists the ability to express themselves, and serve as civic leaders
• Engages social interaction between community members, artist, and the city
• Stimulates learning and understanding between people
• Increases cultural activity
• Encourages economic activity for both individuals and businesses
• Attracts visitors and increases tourism in Wauwatosa

Sign up for the Artist Directory

We encourage artists to sign up for our Artist Directory to receive information about commissioning opportunities and art festivals as they become available.