Staff is requesting to consider the proposed amendment to the Mural Matching Grant Program to increase the matching grant from $2,000 to $3,000 for new mural and extend the mural project area boundary to include the southeast portion of “The Creek” Arts & Entertainment District.

The Mural Matching Grant Program was adopted on September 24, 2018.  The CRA sets an annual budget of $20,000 for the program.  The proposed amendment to the program guidelines does not amend the annual budget.  Since the approval of the program, there has been only one application (The Gilt Complex) approved for the matching grant. 

The cost of creating a mural can be expensive.  This unique public/private partnership will encourage investment in public art on private property and provide funding support for local artists to get involved to create murals in the downtown area.

Also, the recently designated Arts & Entertainment District initiative is to promote and create more public art and murals to enhance the experience and promote walkability in the district through events such as "The Creek" Art Walk. 

Public investment in public art are not just for cultural or aesthetic purposes, they have a positive bottom-line economic impact.  Modest public investment in murals can provide huge benefits for the city such as the project will receive publicity, public recognition and more interest from private investor to purchase or lease property in the area generating tax revenue for the City.  The murals can be used as a marketing tool to reach huge audience through social media and interest in the area.  It can help to attract new businesses such as restaurants and retail shops bringing more customers to the area, and boost the economy of an area.    

In addition, research has shown that public arts have numerous educational, health, civic and cultural benefits of investing in the art (See attached article). 

Community Redevelopment Board

On January 7, 2020, the Community Redevelopment Board voted 3-1 to recommend approval to extend the mural program project area boundary and to increase the matching grant from $2,000 to $3,000 for a new mural.