The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the project to create and install pop up art displays from Michigan artists, complete with artful activities.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $7,500 by March 30, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MSHDA and MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: www.Patronicity.com/PopUpArt
“Unique projects like the Pop Up Art: Special Edition redefine spaces and build vibrancy in inactive places,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “We are proud to partner with the Lansing Art Gallery’s Pop Up Art: Special Edition’ program as we are discovering new and innovative ways to activate public spaces in communities across our state.”
“The Lansing Art Gallery’s Pop Up Art: Special Edition project will integrate art with the community in a creative and interactive way,” said Kevin Elsenheimer, executive director at MSHDA. .”Public art projects like this help invigorate a downtown space.”
Pop Up Art: Special Edition showcases and supports creativity, increasing collaboration with those who live, work, and play in Lansing. By unexpectedly activating underutilized newspaper kiosks as vibrant sites, Lansing Art Gallery will engage the community in the visual arts. With the help of volunteers, interns, staff, board, and the public, the gallery will present demonstrations by featured artists from noon – 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and offer signed limited-edition prints by Michigan artists. Taking place through the summer months of June, July, and August 2016, activities will inspire community commitment and civic action, and be free and accessible for all.
“Lansing Art Gallery is grateful for the vision of MSHDA, MEDC, and Patronicity to create vibrant spaces in inactive places! We are excited to serve as a catalyst for change in downtown Lansing by converting inactive newspaper kiosks into artful information delivery systems,” said Executive Director, Barb Whitney. “Pop Up Art: Special Edition will provide an unusual arts experience, offering the opportunity for the public to enjoy outdoor art by Michigan artists, witness art-making and meet artists; and take signed art prints home as a keepsake from their experience. We hope this project will engage the community, inspire participation, and highlight the incredible art currently being made by Michigan artists.”
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, MSHDA, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
Source: MEDC