Waterbury Arts announces grants for public art

September 16, 2024  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

The "Phoenix Rising" mural. Photo by Gordon Miller

The volunteer-led Waterbury Arts organization has announced it will award grants of up to $3,000 annually to support public art projects proposed for all areas of Waterbury. 

Grant awards will be made on a rolling basis throughout the year to support art projects that build community. Organizations, collaborations and individual artists are encouraged to apply with an application available online at waterburyarts.com.

“Public art, by definition, is free and accessible to the public and encourages community engagement,” said Waterbury Arts Chair Laura Parette. “We believe public art adds to our collective experience and helps build a thriving and welcoming community.”

Public art can also be defined by what it is not, Parette added. “It becomes part of our public history, rather than something that promotes an individual point of view or commercial interest,” she said. “It can be thought-provoking, but because of the public nature of the placement and process of approval, it tends to be inclusive instead of divisive.”

An example of public art supported by Waterbury Arts is the two-story “Phoenix Rising” installation on the side of the historic building at 5 Stowe Street in downtown Waterbury. The contemporary piece composed of aluminum panels overlaid with vinyl was dedicated in 2021 as part of the 10-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene, commemorating the community’s resilience. 

Today, somewhat true to its theme, the fundraising from the Phoenix project has given rise to the grant program. That effort collected over $40,000 and the mural project came in under budget, explained Waterbury Arts committee member Whitney Aldrich. 

“Successful fundraising for the 2021 Phoenix Rising project coupled with good fiscal planning has led to a small amount of surplus funds that are being earmarked to fuel the grant program indefinitely,” she said. “Waterbury Arts hopes this grant inspires other public art projects in Waterbury.”

For more information, contact Waterbury Arts committee member Laura Peterson at llpetersonvt@gmail.com.