Rep. Tierney, Mayor Driscoll Announce Federal Funds to Support the Creation of a City-Wide Master Plan for Public Art in Salem
April 26, 2012
Salem, MA- Today, Congressman John F. Tierney and Mayor Kim Driscoll announced a matching grant of $25,000 in federal funding under the National Endowments for the Arts (NEA) Art Works program. The funds will support the creation of a city-wide master plan for public art, of which the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall will be a focal point.
"The redesign of the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Salem will help improve economic activity in the area by providing the public with more accessibility to the arts and cultural activities. I look forward to seeing the work that the city is able to do to define and express our vibrant community's identity through public art while also supporting community revitalization and economic development," said Congressman John Tierney (MA-06).
The NEA grant will allow the city of Salem to hire a public art consultant to develop the city-wide plan, focusing on opportunities for incorporation of public art in the design of the pedestrian mall, developing placement and design guidelines for public art, and recommending processes for artist selection and on-going maintenance. The Peabody Essex Museum and the Salem Partnership will be active partners and contributors to the project.
"The arts create new ways to experience our city and play an important role in our community. The NEA grant will help the City to achieve numerous community benefits, including strengthened economic development activity, more creative utilization of the pedestrian mall, increased community access to art, more year-round businesses, and an improved quality of life," said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll.
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