Spartanburg is a Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge Grantee
April 13, 2016
SPARTANBURG, SC – In October 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies invited U.S. mayors to collaborate with artists and arts organizations on developing innovative public art projects that engage residents and attract visitors. After receiving 237 applications that covered a wide range of local and civic issues, Bloomberg Philanthropies selected four winning projects to receive up to $1 million each as part of the Public Art Challenge – a new program aimed at supporting temporary public art projects that celebrate creativity, enhance urban identity, encourage public-private partnerships, and drive economic development.
The four grantees of the Public Art Challenge (Gary, Indiana; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Los Angeles; and a joint project by, Albany, Schenectady and Troy, New York) are undertaking projects that address some of the nation’s most pressing civic issues including neighborhood safety and urban revitalization.
Spartanburg, has announced 10 neighborhoods participating in an instillation that will transform open spaces and create more vibrant neighborhoods.
Gary, Indiana announced that six individual artists and teams have been selected to submit full proposals for their project, ArtHouse a Social Kitchen which seeks to use public space to spur development of a cultural district and to promote urban revitalization.
In a joint project aimed at addressing vacant housing, three New York cities, Albany, Troy and Schenectady, announced a host of community events including art workshops, local gallery installations, and clinics to enhance opportunities for potential buyers.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced several artists participating in the city’s first biennial along the Los Angeles River. The biennial seeks to call attention to water and sustainability as well as act as a cultural experience for visitors.
To follow the developments of each city and learn more about how cities, artists and communities are coming together through the public art challenge, visit http://publicartchallenge.bloomberg.org/.
“Public art projects change cities for the better, and they can also enhance city governments. By enabling agencies to push boundaries and work with new partners, these projects unite everyone with a shared mission,” said Bloomberg Philanthropies CEO and former New York City First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat: Bloombergdotorg and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.
