Efforts to fund multiple placemaking projects throughout the city are well underway this summer, bolstered by the state’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative.
The program assists community groups in raising the funds necessary for their projects through a crowdfunding and corresponding matching grant system. Crowdfunding campaigns are organized through the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Once successfully completed, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation then contributes a matching grant to the project.
Below are several such placemaking projects currently seeking to complete the Public Spaces program.
Cody-Rouge BUS Shelter: A series of three creative yet functional bus shelters to be installed in the Cody-Rouge and Franklin Park neighborhoods. Detroit artist and industrial designer Kef Parker responded to calls from the community for improved bus stops with the functional public art design.
Crowdfunding goal: $11,750 / Deadline: 6/25/18
The American Riad: A public courtyard designed by Syrian architect Marwa Al Sabouni, the American Riad seeks to connect Detroit and Islamic cultures in the North End neighborhood. The public park will feature edible gardens, sculptural furniture, an outdoor community kitchen, and more.
Crowdfunding goal: $50,000 / Deadline: 6/30/18
Durfee + Central Community Beautification: A project that seeks to organize 10,000 volunteers to beautify 300 city blocks. Plans include planting hundreds of trees and flowers, installing 20 little free libraries, building two community gardens, and much more.
Crowdfunding goal: $50,000 / Deadline: 7/31/18
Murals in the Market: A public art campaign that will install more than 30 murals throughout Eastern Market. The planned murals would bring Eastern Market’s total public mural count to 150, and all of them located within just one square mile.
Crowdfunding goal: $50,000 / Deadline: 8/13/18
Two additional projects recently completed their own crowdfunding campaigns, with each receiving matching grants from the MEDC. The Detroit Heritage Theatre Festival and Carrie Morris Art Productions were successful in their campaigns to bring the arts to city neighborhoods.
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