City of Boulder opens applications for the Creative Neighborhoods Mural Program

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The program provides funding for community members to commission mural artworks for their neighborhood from Colorado artists

BOULDER, Colo. – Creative Neighborhoods is a new program to provide resources for community members to work with a local artist to create a mural in their neighborhood that celebrates the area and encourages social cohesion. The City of Boulder will open rolling applications for the Creative Neighborhoods Mural Program beginning today, May 29. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis within 10 subcommunities (see map).

Special consideration will be given to neighborhoods that have not participated in similar programs in the past, with a focus on lower income neighborhoods, including permanently affordable designated communities and mobile home parks. To be eligible for this program, the location of the mural must be within the City of Boulder.

The Community Vitality Department’s investment in community-led arts is designed to meet the following goals:

• Add a beautiful, inspiring work of art that provides a welcoming, inclusive and family-friendly message for the betterment of the community.

• Increase opportunities for neighbors to meet and get to know each other.

• Provide community-building experiences to under-resourced neighborhoods.

• Rebuild community resilience, healing and joy through personal connections: factors which address the challenges in the wake of COVID-19.

• Employ local artists for creative recovery after the pandemic.

• Foster opportunities for the community to collaborate with a local artist.

“In addition to bringing more artwork into our city and employing local artists, Creative Neighborhoods is about building relationships and connections among community members,” said Interim Arts and Culture Manager Lauren Click. “Applicants will have to get approval of the mural design from the neighbors adjacent to the artwork location, requiring community members to work together to build something they are proud of.”

Applicants that are awarded funding for Creative Neighborhoods can choose an artist to employ from the 2024 Mural Artist Roster. Awardees are encouraged to explore grant funding for a block party through Neighborhood Services to celebrate the completion of the neighborhood artwork.

Applications will close Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Mural projects must be completed by Sept. 30, 2025. Visit the Creative Neighborhoods Mural Program webpage for more information. This program is resourced by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.