Title:
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the Office of Communications and Community Engagement to submit a grant application to Bloomberg Philanthropies to seek funding to benefit the City’s Public Art Initiative and authorizing the acceptance of such grant if awarded (Director of Communications and Community Engagement)
Background
Approval of this item will authorize Communications to apply for a grant award of up to $100,000.00 from Bloomberg Philanthropies to support the League City Public Arts Program.
As part of their philanthropy efforts, Bloomberg financially supports art programs in cities across the U.S. and Europe-offering several grant programs. One such grant is the Asphalt Art Initiative which is designed to fund visual art interventions on roadways, pedestrian spaces, and public infrastructure. The program assists cities looking to use art and design to improve street safety, revitalize public spaces, and engage their communities. The Asphalt Art Initiative responds to the growing number of cities around the world embracing art as an effective and relatively low-cost strategy to improve and enrich their streets. The initiative focuses on “asphalt art,” including visual interventions on roadways (intersections and crosswalks), pedestrian spaces (plazas and sidewalks), and vertical infrastructure (utility boxes, traffic barriers, and underpasses). Previous grant rounds supported 90 projects in North America and Europe.
If awarded, the Communications Department would like to pursue using the funding to create a “gateway entrance” at the intersection of Magnolia Street and FM 518 (in front of the McDonalds and Debra Bly Realty). This intersection is notoriously dangerous and this project would not only improve safety but would create a more attractive entrance to the City’s Historic District. The proposed project would utilize wooden gates from the original Butler Longhorn Ranch (which are currently being stored at a League City facility) along with one or more bronze longhorn sculptures mounted on an “asphalt art triangle” that would be painted with wildflowers and augmented with plants and landscaping.
Awarded organizations will be notified in the summer of 2025 and funds will be disbursed in the fall of 2025 with implementation of the project in 2026. No additional staff or matching funds from the City are required. If awarded the grant, Bloomberg requires that a “fiscal sponsor” must receive the funds. The fiscal sponsor must be a charitable organization that is a 501(c)3 public charity. If awarded the grant, we propose the Patrons of the Parks and Arts Foundation to be the fiscal sponsor of the funds.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Grant Pre-Approval Form
3. Bloomberg Grant Program Information
FUNDING
{ X } NOT APPLICABLE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{ X } Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # 4 Quality Community Amenities