Crowdfunding campaign launched for “Neighborhood Literary Art Park” Project

INDIANAPOLIS – Residents of Indianapolis’ northwest side will soon be able to enjoy a neighborhood literary art park, thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign, sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and offered through the crowdfunding platform developed by Patronicity, is being run by local nonprofit Brick Street Poetry, Inc.

“Developing a long-term passion for the arts begins at a young age,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. “By taking a vacant, underutilized space and giving students the knowledge and support to create literary art is truly innovative. We look forward to working with Brick Street Poetry and IPS school #87 on this exciting crowdfunding campaign.”

If the campaign reaches its $5,000 goal by December 8th, 2018, the ‘Neighborhood Literary Art Park’ will receive a matching grant of $5,000 from IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.

Click here for project details and to donate.

The funding raised during this campaign will allow Brick Street Poetry to turn a vacant lot in a residential neighborhood into a destination for the literary arts. A stage will be installed, tables and chairs, landscaping and a shed to hold supplies for events and workshops. Next summer Brick Street Poetry plans to host a series of workshops in the literary art park, through which professionals will teach local kids about writing short stories, poetry, lettering, and painting. At the end of the series workshop participants will create a piece of art to be displayed within the park.

“Our entire school community is very excited that this opportunity has the potential to fund and develop a Neighborhood Literary Art Park and engage local residents in literary art activities by embedding summer workshops, student gallery shows, readings, and other cultural exchanges right into the neighborhood,” said Mark J. Nardo, Principal of IPS George Washington Carver. “ Our school consistently celebrates the arts and this park can provide our students, parents and the entire neighborhood with an opportunity to inspire the community’s artistic potential.”

Since the CreatINg Places program began last fall, projects have raised in excess of $1,140,000 in public funds and an additional $900,000 in matching IHCDA funds.

The CreatINg Places program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should they successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.