EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing community is launching a $45,000 crowdfunding campaign to revitalize and redesign two public spaces into active and creative Artist Alleys in downtown East Lansing.
The crowdfunding campaign is part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Public Spaces, Community Places program. Through Patronicity, an innovative fundraising platform, the community can make tax-deductible donations. If the project reaches its crowdfunding goal of $45,000 by Nov. 12, MEDC will provide a $45,000 matching grant.
The Artist Alleys project will revitalize and redesign two new public spaces in downtown East Lansing. The public spaces are located in the Grove Street alley adjacent to Ann Street Plaza and the pedestrian alley in the 500 block of E. Grand River Avenue. The redesign of the alleys will include new lighting, planters, landscaping, outdoor game tables and chairs and benches. In addition, the Grove Street Alley will include the installation of an East Lansing-themed public art mural and the pedestrian alley will include a multi-generational mosaic art project created by both senior citizens and youth.
“The Artist Alleys project will help build connections between visitors and public spaces in our downtown,” said City of East Lansing Community and Economic Development Administrator Lori Mullins. “We hope community members choose to invest in East Lansing through this project, while energizing and activating our public spaces.”
The project is coordinated by a number of community partners, including the City of East Lansing, Michigan Municipal League, Greater Lansing Association of Realtors, the Downtown Management Board, East Lansing Arts Commission, Prime Time Seniors’ Program and the East Lansing Public Schools.
Help Make it Happen
To donate, community members can visit https://www.patronicity.com/project/el_artist_alleys to make an online donation and to learn more about the project, including design concepts and a project summary. The fundraising goal must be met by Nov. 12 for the project to qualify for the $45,000 matching grant from the MEDC.
Community members can follow the project on social media at #ELArtistAlleys.
Rally for the Alleys Kick-off Event
The Rally for the Alleys official kick-off event will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Ann Street Plaza. The event will provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about this placemaking project.
At 4:15 p.m., remarks from local community leaders and a keynote address from Project for Public Spaces Founder and President Fred Kent will take place in Ann Street Plaza. At 4:45 p.m., free family activities will take place in both alleys, including live music, caricaturists, life-sized board games, 3-D printing, food samples from Velvet A Candy Store and El Azteco, a photo booth and much more.
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