Area Artist Sought for Hawley Artists on Main Street Program
Hawley, MN — Calling all Hawley-area artists! Hawley has been selected by the Lake Region Arts Council and West Central Initiative to receive an Artists on Main Street Grant. Throughout 2023, local artists, creatives, culture-bearers and makers from the Hawley area will be supported to implement small art projects and experiences that enhance Hawley’s downtown–creating beauty and pride throughout our community, according to Michele Anderson of Springboard for the Arts.
Artists on Main Street is a program developed and led by Springboard for the Arts and Rethos: Places Reimagined. Since the launch of Artists on Main Street in 2018, over 300 artists and creatives have attended Creative Placemaking Workshops resulting in a total of hundreds of artist-led projects in the twelve Artists on Main Street communities throughout Minnesota and North Dakota. Artists on Main Street builds on the Springboard for the Arts core values of “incremental” and “lots of little” as a way to get a wide array of artists and creatives involved with their community, and to demonstrate what they love or want to change about where they live. Projects have ranged from temporary installations that add elements of fun and surprise to downtown life, to exhibits and events that foster interaction about community identity, according to Anderson.
Artists may be eligible for grants of up to $1000 to bring their art to the downtown Hawley community. Anderson says arts and culture are an essential part to any downtown and these artists grants are intended to bring vibrancy and identity to the heart and soul of town.
You can learn more about the Hawley Artists on Main Street Grant by attending a workshop this Saturday, March 11th from 10am until 1pm at the Garrick Theater in Hawley. Participants will learn about how to plan impactful creative placemaking projects, generate ideas for projects through interactive activities, and meet local leaders who are interested in the role of art and creativity in enhancing downtown. Participants will also receive tips and guidelines for how to present their project ideas to the City.
Visit the Hawley City website, www.hawley.govoffice.com for more information.
Listen to the full interview with Michele Anderson below: