Grant program could triple fundraising for community mural project
May 8, 2023 | By Lisa Scagliotti 
The label shows where the mural would be added to the building. Courtesy photo
Plans to create a community mural along Stowe Street Waterbury are moving ahead with a recently launched crowdfunding campaign sponsored by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program.
The campaign is looking to raise $10,000 from donors by June 30 that will be matched with a $20,000 state grant.
“Public art encourages representation and a sense of belonging,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Josh Hanford. “The Waterbury Vermont Community Mural Project will bring a vibrant pop of color to downtown Waterbury.”
The project is led by the Waterbury Area Anti Racism Coalition. The funds raised by both the donations and the grant will cover artist labor and materials, construction, and implementation including any equipment costs, events or programming related to the project, installation, etc.
The concept has been percolating for three years since the coalition was formed.
“We are incredibly excited that local business owners and WAARC members, Nicole and John Greinier offered their building at 29 Stowe Street for the home of this project,” said project Co-Coordinator Chiyomi McKibbin. The mural is proposed to be added to a 26 feet x 12 feet section of the rear side of the building where Stowe Street Cafe and Bridgeside Books is located along Stowe Street.
“Due to their generosity of using this location, we're able to move forward with this project. We are looking forward to working with community members to carry out the artist's vision and our hope is that this public art piece will allow viewers a moment of pause for reflection and contemplation within their busy lives and, of course, bring joy to viewers and our community, McKibben said.
The goal is to create a mural that illustrates the group’s mission of fostering an inclusive community where people of color are welcome. Once chosen, the artist would work with a project coordinator who will incorporate community members to participate in painting the mural.
“Vermont has many wonderful public art pieces around the state, and we're excited to be able to add to the growing list of vibrant public art,” McKibben added.
A committee of the Waterbury Area Anti-Racism Coalition was charged with reviewing applications from Vermont mural artists interested in the project. The application deadline was in mid-April and a decision is expected soon.
The project’s online fundraising portal went live last week and as of May 8, it has raised more than $2,700 from 16 contributors.
Better Places is a matching grant program that supports the creation of inclusive and vibrant public places in Vermont’s designated downtowns, village centers, new town centers, or neighborhood development areas. It seeks to fund community-led projects in gathering areas. The program is a collaboration among the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, the Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont Community Foundation, and Patronicity, which facilitates crowdfunding campaigns.