Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the City of Madison to apply for a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. If granted, this grant would award $25,000 to the Madison Arts Commission, which will be matched by $25,000 from the Municipal Art Fund. The Municipal Art Fund capital project currently has approximately $364,000 in available budget authority. The Madison Arts Commission will include expenditures and revenues associated with this grant in their 2019 operating budget request. No additional City appropriation is required.
Title
Supporting the application by the City of Madison to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for an Our Town grant to be used to help fund "Science to Street Art" and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with NEA to receive and use these funds should they be awarded.
Body
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID) initiated a partnership with the City to merge science and street art into five graffiti-style murals depicting science content to inspire youth interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, English, Art, and Math); and
WHEREAS, the Madison Arts Commission works to encourage artistic activities and initiates cultural programs that integrate, support, and advance arts and culture as an essential part of life in Madison; and
WHEREAS, WID has designated a staff person to serve as the project lead, linking the UW-Madison science community with artists and locations such as schools and community centers for this project; and,
WHEREAS, the goal of "Science to Street Art” is for UW-Madison scientists and local/regional street artists to team up and create science themed educational street art for inclusive placemaking with an emphasis on drawing in untapped talent, underserved and unrepresented community members; and,
WHEREAS, "Science to Street Art" will reach a broad segment of the community, especially populations that might not otherwise have access to the co-curricular science and art making opportunities provided through this innovative program; and,
WHEREAS, the opportunity to receive a dollar for dollar match to our Public Art Funds increases our financial capacity to serve Madison youth with this collaborative public art initiative; and
WHEREAS, the Madison Arts Commission and the WID will collaborate throughout the project to guarantee meaningful community engagement and high quality artistic production; and
WHEREAS, the Madison Arts Commission will issue an open call for street artists interested in participating in the project; and
WHEREAS, staff from both WID and City Planning will vet the artists and select up to five artists to include in the grant application to the NEA.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Madison Common Council supports the application by the City of Madison to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for an Our Town grant to be used to help fund "Science to Street Art.”