$30,000 in Public Art Funding Available Through LEAP’s Eight Annual Public Art for Communities Grant
Regional Communities Invited to Apply for Funding to Enhance Sense of Place
LANSING, Mich. – On the heels of seven successful years of growing a regional collection of permanent art pieces, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is pleased to announce the Request for Proposals for LEAP’s 2020 Public Art for Communities Grant Program is now open. Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.
Since 2012, LEAP has invested $240,000 in growing a collection of strategically placed, permanent, public art throughout the Tri-county region, with the PNC Foundation as a strong supporter. The PNC Foundation began contributing $10,000 annually to the program each year in 2015, which helped expand the program and number of pieces funded each year.
Past awardees include the City of Mason, Dewitt Township, City of Dewitt, Meridian Township, City of St. Johns, City of East Lansing, Delta Township, Delhi Township, City of Grand Ledge, City of Lansing and the City of Charlotte. Photos of LEAP funded sculptures from past award years can be found on the LEAP website.
This year, LEAP seeks to add three more installations to the existing 35 public sculptures funded through Public Art for Communities grants.
“The impact of LEAP’s Public Art for Communities grant program can be seen all across the region. Through this program we have successfully created a sense of place that builds on the human diversity of our region, inspiring and attracting new people to join our businesses here,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “In partnership with PNC and our local communities we have successfully built and are continuing to grow an ecosystem that supports creative placemaking, which is widely acknowledged as a key driver of successful economic development.”
Arts and cultural strategies, such as LEAP’s Public Art for Communities Program, are strategically designed to create a sense of place where both existing and potential people and businesses can see themselves living, working and growing. A key strategy in accomplishing this goal includes the physical enhancement of key corridors, gateways and places to spur ongoing economic development and increase opportunities to experience arts and culture.
In order to receive funding, each community must adopt a public art policy. The policy helps communities identify important considerations when investing in public art including maintenance, installation, insurance, etc. Eligible applicants will be any municipality, business or organization within Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties. The LEAP Placemaking Committee will consider each application and three communities will each be awarded a $10,000 grant. Scoring of applications will be weighted toward LEAP community and business members.
Submission guidelines, eligibility and criteria, including the policy guideline template and the RFP, can be found on LEAP’s website. Grantees will be announced in March and artwork will be unveiled in October.
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About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all—working every day to grow, retain and attract business.
About the PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. Click here to learn more about PNC Grow Up Great.
Category: Placemaking, Press Releases