ArtPlace America Announces 2015 Placemaking Grant Finalists

Yesterday, January 12, ArtPlace America announced the finalists for its 2015 National Grants Program. Four of the 90 finalists are based in Philadelphia.

Each of the finalists proposed projects in which the arts play an explicit and intentional role in strengthening the social, physical, and economic fabric of a community, according to the program’s criteria. ArtPlace received 1,283 letters of inquiry for the 2015 program.

ArtPlace is a collaboration of 14 national philanthropic organizations, including the Ford, Knight and Rockefeller foundations and Philly’s own William Penn Foundation.

The next round of recipients will be announced in June 2015. To date, ArtPlace has invested $56.8 million in 189 projects in 122 communities across the US through the National Grants Program.

Here are the finalists from Philadelphia (info taken from ArtPlace America’s website):

Dupree Studios

Artvolution West Project is an innovative project for the preservation of the art and community history of three distinctive art institutions in the Mantua/Powelton and part of President Obama’s Promise Zone. Dupree Studios, Community Education Center and Philadanco will offer innovative arts education programs and a community fine arts festival.

Painted Bride Art Center

A 20-month project, Re-PLACE-ing Philadelphia invites three Lead Artists and three artistic advisers to work with community members to stage performances, exhibitions, readings and other interactions at the Bride and at Philadelphia locations to re construct complex histories in ways that encompass a broader community.

Mural Arts Program

Art@Bartram’s is a creative platform integrated within SW Philly’s new waterfront trail and greenspace, Bartram’s Mile. Innovative public art, creative interventions and multidisciplinary programming informed by residents will activate the site and connect community members to the river through thoughtful explorations of art and environment.

Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market seeks to add pedestrian lights and plan new streetscaping adjacent to the Market. Multiple stakeholders will create a design vision and public space management plan to transform the bleak underpass that connects the Market with a multi-modal transit hub into a welcoming outdoor space for events and performances.

Photo via Flickr User bigbirdz