The Lebanon Youth Council, in partnership with the Boone County Economic Development Corporation (Boone EDC), was recently awarded a matching placemaking grant through Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) to commission an interactive mural in downtown Lebanon.
The Quick Impact Placebased (QuIP) Grant is designed for community enhancement through public art. The Lebanon Youth Council will collaborate with local artist Scott Trafford to develop and implement the design of various Lebanon High School connections. This mural, a first of its kind for Lebanon, will activate an alley in downtown Lebanon and draw new attention to the recently renovated downtown Lebanon square.
“I am very proud of the Lebanon Youth Council. Their dedication to improving our community through public art is a much-needed effort that will strengthen and bring our city closer together,” said Mayor Matt Gentry.
As part of its placemaking efforts, Amy Hammerle, Workforce & Community Development Manager at the Boone EDC played an integral role in the acquisition of this grant opportunity. “Assisting the youth council with this grant is a great way for the Boone EDC to support a local organization and secure funding for a public art project,” said Hammerle. “Placemaking activities are vitally important to making our community a place where people want to live, work and play.”
“Acquiring this grant is a major step forward for the Youth Council as it covers half of the expenses for our project. This project is something we are excited to reveal as it will help spread positivity amidst the hardships we all face,” said Khushi Patel, youth council member.
The Lebanon Youth Council is comprised of students from Lebanon High School that brainstorm, develop, and implement youth-led projects for the betterment of the City of Lebanon. Grant recipients were encouraged to develop projects that were unique to their community and locally inspired.
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Media Contact:
Chassity Neckers
317.995.3207
chassity@betterinboone.org