Regional Communities Invited to Apply for Funding to Enhance Sense of Place
LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 15, 2020) — For the ninth consecutive year, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals is now open for LEAP’s 2021 Public Art for Communities (PAFC) Grant Program. Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2021.
Since 2012, LEAP has invested $250,000 in growing a collection of strategically placed, permanent, public art throughout the three-county Lansing region, with strong support from the PNC Foundation. The PNC Foundation began contributing $10,000 annually to the program each year in 2015, which helped expand the program and the number of pieces funded each year.
Past awardees include the city of Williamston, 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 through the COVID-19 pandemic, LEAP is steadfast in its commitment to enhancing the region’s public spaces and seeks to add two more installations to the existing 35 public sculptures funded through LEAP’s PAFC grants.
“Even amid the ongoing pandemic, LEAP is working tirelessly and succeeding in recruiting businesses to the region, with LEAP’s Public Art for Communities grant program remaining an essential tool in aiding this effort,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “Through this program, we have successfully created a sense of place that builds on the human diversity of our region, which is inspiring for those of who already call the Lansing region home and is of paramount concern to the new people and businesses we are seeking to welcome to the region.”
Arts and cultural strategies, such as LEAP’s PAFC 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 important 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 two communities will each be recommended to receive a $10,000 grant. Scoring of applications will be weighted toward LEAP community and business members.
Submission guidelines, eligibility and application criteria, including the policy guideline template and the RFP, can be found on LEAP's website. Grantees will be announced in spring 2021, and artwork will be unveiled in October 2021.
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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 to the Lansing, Michigan, region.
