News

Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for “ArtPath 6” in Lansing

Contact:
Kathleen Achtenberg, MEDC
517.489.0557
[email protected]

Katrina M. Daniels
Exhibitions Director and Co-Founder of ArtPath
517.574.4521
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2023

$7,500 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center will produce its newest rendition of ArtPath, a temporary, public art project, and events along the Lansing River Trail for the Summer of 2023. The effort will be completed through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the nonprofit Services To Enhance Potential (STEP) announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $7,500 by July 2, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/artpath6.

“This project continues to activate the Lansing River Trail, bringing beauty and recreation to the trail through murals and installations,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project to complete the space through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Photo of artist Dustin Hunt courtesy of Sarah Hopkins

ArtPath 6 is more than just an annual public art program – it’s a tradition that brings together Michigan’s creative talent and revitalizes the city’s blighted spaces with temporary works of public art. This effort also promotes the works of Michigan artists and brings public awareness, education, and enjoyment of the visual arts to the Lansing community.

This year ArtPath is revitalizing 20 new locations along the Lansing River Trail, including one community-contributed mural. The event has also brought back its river trail clean-up and will host workshops with our talented ArtPath artists and kick off the event with a celebration for the community.

“The collaboration with Patronicity and the generous matching funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) through the Public Spaces Community Places grant program is pivotal to our fundraising campaign for ArtPath 6,” said Katrina M. Daniels, Exhibitions Director and Co-Founder of ArtPath. “Crowdfunding empowers individuals to actively invest in projects they deeply believe in, transforming their communities into vibrant, artistic havens. This incredible opportunity fills us with gratitude and fuels our unwavering commitment to expanding ArtPath, hand in hand with our valued partners.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which 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, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“The Michigan Municipal League is a strong supporter of placemaking projects and events happening throughout our state,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the League. “This public art initiative will have a positive, lasting impact on the Grosse Ile community as well as all who attend it. This is what placemaking is all about.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of April 30, 2023, MEDC has provided more than $11.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 343 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $13 million raised from 65,483 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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