Community: City of Madison Heights
Population: 10,000+
The Madison Heights Art Board, made up of 15 residents, set a goal to bring art and creative quality of life to the city. They developed a goal of creating public art throughout the city. They have raised enough money to create the city’s first mural. The momentum and excitement this board has started in order to get this idea off the ground is impressive. They have energized boards and committees across the city to set the future in motion across various areas including tree planting, beautification, and citizen safety. The Arts Board is committed to further promoting public art and intends to involve the community in art throughout the city.
Replicability:
This project and energy can easily be replicated in other communities with energetic volunteers and a desire to expand quality of life programs. Without budgeted funds to restore quality of life programming in the city, the Art Board was established. This group of volunteers hit the ground running and has created an infectious energy throughout the city setting the future in motion with their own kind of cool. The goal was to raise funds for a Civic Center Mural, however, throughout this process they have involved the whole community and spanned various issues including everything from beautification projects, pop-up art stores, to reducing single use plastic with bottles and bags. Events are held around the mural creation such as painting classes for younger students and planting for older residents. The energy from the Art Board has inspired other sleepy boards to come to life. Each groups is making big changes in the city with no city funds, making this very easy to replicate.
Creativity and Originality:
At first glance, the mural project isn't all that original, but the projects that were put in place to achieve the mural were very impressive. From a pop-up makers market, art show, karaoke, and beatification projects to the Women in Art Creative Career Series "Don't Tell Me What to Do", this volunteer committee has reached across all generations of our city to bring everyone together to fund and support this mural project. The project is the first of many public displays of art that will eventually be displayed through the city.
Community Impact:
The energy from this board has spanned all generations of the community and created a desire for more volunteerism in all aspects of our city. Other boards and commissions that, in the past, were stagnant have come to life with new ideas and projects and the desire to make a change. Setting the future in motion is the line I most use to describe what the Arts Board has done for the city. If everyone does a little, the effect is a lot. Because of the mural project that the Art Board set as a goal and worked to achieve, the other boards are making ambitious goals also and starting to develop creative ways to achieve these goals without city budgeted funds.
