Innovative Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development Initiative Hub
Video
Intro video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Project
Describe your project in 80 characters or less.
Innovative Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development Initiative Hub
Project category
art
What is the problem or frustration you want to solve using this grant?
Our downtown area has several blank walls that attract graffiti and contribute to a sense of neglect. The neighborhood lacks public art that celebrates our diverse community history.
Why do you think it has yet to be solved? Is it only a lack of funding or are there other barriers at play?
While there's interest in beautifying the area, there's been a lack of funding and coordination between artists, property owners, and the city. Previous efforts have stalled due to permitting issues and insufficient resources for professional-quality execution.
What is the best case outcome of receiving this grant?
A series of 3-5 vibrant murals created with community input, celebrating local history and culture. The project would transform neglected spaces, reduce graffiti, increase foot traffic to local businesses, and create a sense of pride and ownership in the neighborhood.
If you had access to 10x the funding amount, what could you improve? How would the outcome and impact change?
With 10x funding, we could expand to 15-20 murals throughout the city, establish a permanent public art program with rotating installations, provide paid apprenticeships to young artists, and develop an interactive walking tour app connecting all the artworks with historical context.
Execution
How will you go about executing the idea?
We've assembled a team of 3 professional muralists and 2 community organizers. We'll host 3 community input sessions to gather stories and themes, create designs for approval, secure necessary permits, prepare walls, and execute the murals over 8 weeks. We'll document the process and host a community celebration upon completion.
What is an interesting (operational) detail about the project that is non-obvious to an outsider?
We're using a special UV-resistant paint system developed locally that extends the life of outdoor murals by 7-10 years compared to standard paints, while also being more environmentally friendly.
What does the timeline to completion look like? Any major factors that could delay the project? Any hard deadlines you need to comply with?
3 months total: 1 month for community input and design, 2 weeks for permitting, 6 weeks for execution. Weather could delay outdoor painting. We need to complete before winter weather arrives in November.
Are you already working on this project, and for how long? What have you learned?
We've been developing this project for 6 months. We've already secured preliminary approval from 4 building owners, conducted a community survey with 200+ responses, and tested paint samples on similar surfaces. We've learned that community buy-in early in the process is essential.
You
Why are you uniquely qualified to make use of this grant?
Our lead artist has completed 12 similar murals in other cities, and our team includes longtime residents with deep connections to neighborhood history. We've successfully navigated the city's permitting process for public art twice before.
How did you come up with the project idea? Do you have domain expertise in this area?
The idea emerged from a neighborhood association meeting where residents expressed desire for beautification. I have 15 years of experience in public art installation and community-led design processes.
Please tell us in one or two sentences about something you achieved in the past that would be indicative of your ability to execute on this project.
I led a similar project in a neighboring city that won a regional urban design award and was featured in Public Art Review magazine.
Costs
Please provide a rough breakdown of how you plan to spend the grant money.
Artist fees: $12,000 ($4,000 x 3 artists), Materials: $5,000, Lift/equipment rental: $2,000, Community engagement: $1,500, Documentation: $1,000, Permits and insurance: $1,500, Project management: $3,000
Links
Twitter / X
Youtube
Innovative Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development Initiative Hub
Video
Intro video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Project
Describe your project in 80 characters or less.
Innovative Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development Initiative Hub
Project category
art
What is the problem or frustration you want to solve using this grant?
Our downtown area has several blank walls that attract graffiti and contribute to a sense of neglect. The neighborhood lacks public art that celebrates our diverse community history.
Why do you think it has yet to be solved? Is it only a lack of funding or are there other barriers at play?
While there's interest in beautifying the area, there's been a lack of funding and coordination between artists, property owners, and the city. Previous efforts have stalled due to permitting issues and insufficient resources for professional-quality execution.
What is the best case outcome of receiving this grant?
A series of 3-5 vibrant murals created with community input, celebrating local history and culture. The project would transform neglected spaces, reduce graffiti, increase foot traffic to local businesses, and create a sense of pride and ownership in the neighborhood.
If you had access to 10x the funding amount, what could you improve? How would the outcome and impact change?
With 10x funding, we could expand to 15-20 murals throughout the city, establish a permanent public art program with rotating installations, provide paid apprenticeships to young artists, and develop an interactive walking tour app connecting all the artworks with historical context.
Execution
How will you go about executing the idea?
We've assembled a team of 3 professional muralists and 2 community organizers. We'll host 3 community input sessions to gather stories and themes, create designs for approval, secure necessary permits, prepare walls, and execute the murals over 8 weeks. We'll document the process and host a community celebration upon completion.
What is an interesting (operational) detail about the project that is non-obvious to an outsider?
We're using a special UV-resistant paint system developed locally that extends the life of outdoor murals by 7-10 years compared to standard paints, while also being more environmentally friendly.
What does the timeline to completion look like? Any major factors that could delay the project? Any hard deadlines you need to comply with?
3 months total: 1 month for community input and design, 2 weeks for permitting, 6 weeks for execution. Weather could delay outdoor painting. We need to complete before winter weather arrives in November.
Are you already working on this project, and for how long? What have you learned?
We've been developing this project for 6 months. We've already secured preliminary approval from 4 building owners, conducted a community survey with 200+ responses, and tested paint samples on similar surfaces. We've learned that community buy-in early in the process is essential.
You
Why are you uniquely qualified to make use of this grant?
Our lead artist has completed 12 similar murals in other cities, and our team includes longtime residents with deep connections to neighborhood history. We've successfully navigated the city's permitting process for public art twice before.
How did you come up with the project idea? Do you have domain expertise in this area?
The idea emerged from a neighborhood association meeting where residents expressed desire for beautification. I have 15 years of experience in public art installation and community-led design processes.
Please tell us in one or two sentences about something you achieved in the past that would be indicative of your ability to execute on this project.
I led a similar project in a neighboring city that won a regional urban design award and was featured in Public Art Review magazine.
Costs
Please provide a rough breakdown of how you plan to spend the grant money.
Artist fees: $12,000 ($4,000 x 3 artists), Materials: $5,000, Lift/equipment rental: $2,000, Community engagement: $1,500, Documentation: $1,000, Permits and insurance: $1,500, Project management: $3,000