ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the Mayor and City Manager with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE to Amend the REVISED 2023 BIENNIAL BUDGET, in the Amount of $50,000.00, for Matching City Funds for the BLOOMBERG PUBLIC ART CHALLENGE. (Requires 2/3 Vote of Corporate Authorities)
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BACKGROUND: The Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge supports innovative temporary public art projects that enhance the vibrancy of cities. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge encourages mayors to partner with artists, elevating the value of including the creative sector while developing solutions to significant urban issues. The program supports temporary public art projects that celebrate creativity, enhance urban identity, encourage public-private collaborations, and strengthen local economies. They invite mayors of U.S. cities with 30,000 residents or more to submit proposals for projects that demonstrate a close partnership between artists, arts organizations, and city government with selected cities receiving up to $1 million each over two years. This grant round will offer as many as 10 awards for temporary public art projects with strong public-private partnerships that address critical civic issues. Applications are due February 15 at 5pm EST. More information can be found at: Public Art Challenge (bloomberg.org) <https://publicartchallenge.bloomberg.org/>
The grant application requires an unspecified local match for which numerous local organizations have committed as follows:
Gilmore Foundation: $25,000 cash match
Peoria Riverfront Museum: $25,000 in-kind match
Unity Point Health Central Illinois: $20,000 in-kind match
Peoria Park District: $15,000
Peoria Public Schools: $10,000 in-kind match
Family Core: $10,000 in-kind match
The $50,000 cash match by the City will bring the total cash match to $75,000 with the total in-kind match of $75,000 for a total local match of $150,000, or 15% of the requested grant amount. The two-year project is designed as a public art project that addresses a local civic issue through public art. The project, “City of Gratitude: Supporting Mental Health Through Public Art” will promote gratitude and expressions of gratitude to support the mental health of Peoria residents. Special focus will be on youth mental health. The Community Health Needs Assessment reflects results of a survey indicating that 17% of local 10th graders say they have contemplated suicide in the last 12 months. Both youth and adult populations are showing significantly higher levels of stress, depression, isolation, fear, anxiety, aggression, and other mental health disorders. Numerous research studies have shown how gratitude contributes to both the mental and physical health of individuals. The hope is that the project will assist to lighten the mental health burden of many in our community.
The Project will spur expressions of gratitude through various forms of art including a community Gratitude Wall, mounted large gratitude murals, augmented reality murals, videos, performances, art exhibits, gratitude publication, website, and integrated community and school gratitude projects (journaling, student art projects, testimonials, etc.)
Project Partners, to date, include: City of Peoria; Peoria Riverfront Museum; Gilmore Foundation; ArtsPartners of Central Illinois; Big Picture Peoria; Peoria Public Schools; Unity Point Health Central Illinois; FamilyCore; Hult Center for Healthy Living; Bradley University; Mythili Dance Adademy; Peoria Guild of Black Artists - PGOBA; Artists ReEnvisioning Tomorrow; Peoria Public Arts Advisory Commission; Peoria Chamber of Commerce; The CEO Council; Illinois Central College; Peoria Park District; Greater Peoria Economic Development Council.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $50,000 of matching funds if $1M grant is awarded
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: None expected. Art will be displayed in approved public locations (public or organizational facilities) throughout the city with the Gratitude Wall located outside the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The local match will strengthen the city’s grant application so it will be more competitive nationwide. The goal is to improve the mental health of youth and adults in Peoria; To create a city environment, over the two-year period, where expressions of gratitude are immersed throughout the city via socially engaged public art and activities; To help residents to feel more safe, hopeful, encouraged, and thankful.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The local match will not be as competitive.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER:
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Beautiful Peoria
2. Grow Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
2. Grow employers and jobs.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office