$30,000 in Public Art Funding Available Through LEAP’s Public Art for Communities Grant
Tri-County Communities Invited to Apply for Funding to Enhance Sense of Place
LANSING, Mich. – Building on five successful years of growing a regional collection of permanent art pieces, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is pleased to announce Request for Proposals for LEAP’s 2018 Public Art for Communities Grant Program is now open. Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018.
Since the program began in 2012, LEAP’s Public Art for Communities Grant Program, with strong support from the PNC Foundation, has awarded each of the 11 awarded communities $10,000 grants to place permanent art in strategic locations across the region. Previous recipients 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.
This year, LEAP seeks to add three more installations to the existing 23 public sculptures funded through Public Art for Communities grants. Photos of LEAP funded sculptures from past award years can be found on the LEAP website.
“In partnership with PNC and our local communities, LEAP’s Public Art for Communities Grant program has made a significant impact on increasing access and exposure to arts and culture across the region,” said Bob Trezise, President and CEO of LEAP. “The extent that these pieces add to the international essence of Global Lansing and their role in shaping an environment that attracts business and talent, cannot be understated.”
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 municipalities, businesses, or organizations within Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. The LEAP Placemaking Committee will consider each application and three communities will each be awarded a $10,000 grant.
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.
Category: Press Releases, Placemaking