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Applications open for city’s public art stimulus fund

Feb 1, 2018 | 1:00 PM

In an effort to support new public art in Prince Albert, the city has put the call out for applications for its incentive program.

The Public Art Stimulus Fund provides up to $2,000 in matching funds to support one to two public art partnerships per year. This is the second year for the program.

According to Judy MacLeod Campbell, the city’s arts and cultural coordinator, the initiative “is a way to create more art in the community and more art opportunities for local artists.”

“I think it really adds to the aesthetics of the community and the community pride,” she said. “It is a drawing card for tourists, and locally, for pride. It is a nice thing to be able to discuss and talk about and interact with.”

The program is aimed at supporting professional artists in creating accessible art in public locations. This can be in the form of murals, participatory projects like sidewalk art or even public work coverings on power boxes, park entrances or signage.

Applicants must be professional art organizations, a non-profit organization, school division or private business in the city and must work with professional artists to qualify.

MacLeod Campbell said the funds act as a way to top up money needed to finalize a project. It could range from something small, like the work on the washroom doors at Kinsmen Park, to a large $10,000 or $20,000 project.

The first run for the program took place in November 2017. MacLeod Campbell said a successful project was selected, but encountered some timing issues and will be postponed.

The initiative is part of the city’s Public Art Policy, with the hopes that each year, city council will designate $30,000 into a reserve for public art, $2,000 of which will be portioned out for the Public Art Stimulus Fund.

The deadline for applications is March 1. An October 1 deadline will be added if the funds are not expended by March.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr