Indianapolis, In. — The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs awarded more than $59,000 to 13 communities and organizations for quality of place initiatives through the Quick Impact Placebased Grant.
This is the second year for the competitive matching grant program designed to fund placemaking and transformational projects that spark community-wide conversations and creativity.
“This grant rewards creativity, ingenuity and collaboration with the end result leaving a lasting impression on communities and the Hoosiers who live there for years to come,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “These projects will help build stronger communities and enhance the distinctive character of local Indiana places for positive outcomes.
The 13 projects that received grants were selected from the 38 submitted applications and will receive grant funds ranging from $2,500 to $5,000.
For more information, visit www.in.gov/ocra/quipgrant.htm.
Project summaries are provided below:
Artlink Contemporary Galleries
City of Ft. Wayne, amount awarded: $2,500
This grant will create an immersive, narrative sound installation comprised of Myaamiaki voices in Little Turtle Memorial Park. Visitors will be able to hear the stores of the Myaamiaki tribe through a mobile app as they walk through park.
Arts Council of Southwest Indiana
Evansville, amount awarded: $5,000
This grant will commission and install a gateway sculpture titled “The Marker” on Main Street in downtown Evansville by local artist, Amy Musia. The marker is an oversized stainless steel sphere with a mirror finish fashioned to look like an oversized pin, as if marking the location as a destination.
Big Car Collaborative
Indianapolis, amount awarded: $5,000
This grant will fund the Indy Bee Sanctuary which combines public art, urban agriculture and beekeeping. Two beehives will be a part of an open-air structure in Garfield Park, providing education on the interdependency on bees and humans, as well as a public space to relax.
City of Delphi
Amount awarded: $5,000
This will fund the Gateway Project, which will repurpose parts of the salvaged Hamilton Street Bridge and create a new entrance archway for Delphi’s Trailhead Park and the access point to extensive local trails.
City of Lawrenceburg
Amount awarded: $4,800
This grant will fund the purchase of two permanent chess/checkers tables for Newton Park in downtown Lawrenceburg.
City of Madison
Amount awarded: $5,000
This project will allow local artists’ artwork to be displayed on streetlight banners throughout the Historic Arts & Cultural district in Madison.
City of Noblesville
Amount awarded: $5,000
This project will create a walkable, holiday light display featuring local, vintage holiday decorations at Seminary Park adjacent to downtown Noblesville.
City of Rushville
Amount awarded: $5,000
This project will help create a “Fun Mobile” trailer that will be filled with not only transport games and other special event materials, but also transforms into a mobile concession stand.
Preservation Society of Union City
Union City, amount awarded: $5,000
This grant will fund two local artists, Selina Burk and Phil Wood, to paint a mural depicting the Step Van trucks on The Art Hub building facing the alley between Columbia and Howard Streets in Union City.
Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Amount awarded: $4,995
This project will fund the creation of eight custom bike racks throughout downtown Terre Haute for Indiana State University’s bike share program, with art panels detailing the city as the official birthplace of the Coca-Cola Bottle.
Town of Culver
Amount awarded: $2,500
This project will purchase games and family activities to be used for Main Street block party events. These portable games include: a bubble machine, giant Uno, Connect 4, yard dice, checkers board, dominos, cornhole boards, foot darts and a spikeball set.
Town of Hebron
Amount awarded: $5,000
This project will construct a shaded sail-like pavilion in Novreske Park. The applicant will also install sidewalks and picnic tables to create a shaded seating space for all who visit.
Town of Highland Redevelopment Commission
Amount awarded: $5,000
This project will expand the Sculpture and Art Walk by hiring local artists and students from Highland High School to create three murals. These murals will be installed on buildings located within the Highland Downtown Arts District.
