Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the NEA, has long make the link between the arts and economic development. He is one of the big hitters behind ArtPlace, a public-private collaboration to foster creative placemaking.
Robin Pogrebin at the New York Times says that ArtPlace "...likens its role to providing venture capital, seeding projects that already enjoy strong local support and connecting with an area's development strategy to attract more private and public dollars."
ArtPlace today announced its first round of grants, $11.5 million in funding given to 34 locally initiated projects across the U.S. One unique project receiving funding this round is Whirligig Park in the town of Wilson, North Carolina, which celebrates the folk art whirligigs of a local artist by relocating the artworks to central downtown Wilson in new public park:
"This one-of-a kind collection is unique to Wilson and will create a strong identification for the community. It will be a transformative catalyst for significant cultural economic development in downtown," according to the ArtPlace website.
Carol Coletta, voted one of Planetizen's Top Urban Thinkers, is the Director of ArtPlace, which officially launched today with this first round of grants. The availability of a 2nd round of grants was also made official today.
Read the full story: Consortium Views Arts as Engines of Recovery
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Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, there was an explosion of anti-racist street art across the country. “When we allow ourselves to release our emotions, oftentimes what is produced out of that is art.”
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Public art plays a role in cities across the world. But what role exactly, and for what purpose? Glass House Conversations explores these questions in this series.
Temporary Autonomous Zones Alter Public Space in The UK
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
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Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority