Project Name: White Cloud Celebrates 150 years ~ 1873-2023
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Municipal Government
What is the entity’s name:
City of White Cloud
Website URL
http://www.cityofwhitecloud.org
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Handle:
City of White Cloud- Local Government
Instagram Handle:
What is the name of the primary contact for this entity’s application/project?
April Storms, City Manager
What are their preferred pronouns?
She/her/hers
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Where will your project take place? (please include city/village too)
Corner of Williams and Wilcox St. – Downtown, City of White Cloud
Anticipated project launch date
July 17, 2023
Briefly describe your project idea including your role and any project partners.
Our project idea is to do a mural including the natural history of our city (train trussell) while incorporating the new image of the city which is a trail for every season. Our artist has sketched up a perfect celebration piece for the City’s sesquicentennial celebration.
How do you plan to spend the $5,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
Size: 8 ft tall, 24 ft long- the cost for artwork prepared, installed, clean up etc. is $7,950.00. The City would pay the remaining portion of $2,950.00
Will your project require special permits from the community you are in? For example, anything that requires a street closure or installing a permanent art piece will likely require a special permit from your local governing body or zoning board. If your project is funded, the MML Foundation is happy to help you navigate that process. Please note that all applicants must obtain any necessary permits for their projects, if selected for funding.
No
Rachel’s Notes about the Project
Reviewed 4.12.23. Confirmed member status. Confirmed businesses and location. Confirmed downtown location. Confirmed letter of support. Confirmed photos. Artist would be paid.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Why does your community need this project?
Our community needs this project because our downtown area is very bland. It appears to be mostly concrete with little to no color and this town needs to be revamped, but in a way to celebrate our history as well as the current goals of a trail town.
How will you engage your community in this project?
We would engage the public and community using social media, we would also announce this project during our sesquicentennial celebration in July 2023. This would be a great opportunity for our community to celebrate our history and 150 years of WC.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
I hope to achieve some faith and hope from this community. No one here has alot of faith that things can turn around and the town can be brought to life again. Instead, they have to drive 15-20 minutes to other small communities to take photos or take pride in their community. We are slowly turning things around here, but it starts with giving them something to be proud of. White Cloud hasn’t taken advantage of many grants or opportunities in the past or they have not came to fruition and I need a little help making this community believe that it can be what we imagine it to be. I plan to start a campaign this summer that will be branded #imagineWC. This would be a great piece to change that culture and imagining what our neighborhoods could look like.
How will the project celebrate the community’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
We would hold a ribbon cutting once this painting is installed and complete. Invite all of the diverse community there and celebrate the 150th birthday of our city in a lasting and meaningful way.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more. Please approximate the in-kind value if possible.
The building owner is open to signing an agreement for placement on their building and they would need to cover cost should it ever need to be moved. We have the full support of a local artist whom we paid to draw up a sketch of this mural and provide a cost estimate.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist First and Last Name:
Renae Wallace
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
Renae has done many community pieces in the past in Fremont and Newaygo. She has incorporated our past and our culture of a trail town that we are trying to embrace right now.
How will the artist be involved in this project?
She has already submitted everything asked of her and she is ready to begin and complete work this Summer 🙂
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Business 1: Business Name:
Special Tee’s & Graphics
Business 1: Business Type:
Retail
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Makiiya Jodway
Business 1: Physical Location Address
1120 E Wilcox Ave.
Business 1: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
Business 1: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
Special Tee’s Graphics and Design, White Cloud, MI 49349
Business 1: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
How will this partner be involved in the project?
They will facilitate the use of their building and will cover the electricity cost of the sign being lit up. They are in full support and favor of this project.
Business 2: Business Name:
Rosenberg’s Hardware
Business 2: Business Type:
Retail
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Bob Rosenberg
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
1164 E. Wilcox St.
Business 2: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
Business 2: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
Business 2: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
How will this second partner be involved in the project?
They will support the City in the project as it’s focus is on the downtown.
Do you have additional partners (business, non-profit, etc.)?
No
What are their names?
What role(s) will they have in the project?
Are they located within the same downtown or business district as the project?
Will your local municipal government be involved in the project? If so, how?
Our City Manager, April Storms will facilitate this project from start to finish. She will coordinate the contract between Special Tee’s and the City as well as the artist’s direction. She will facilitate the project to completion and provide leadership to see this project through to the end.
Please upload a letter of support on letterhead for your project from your local governing body (mayor, city/village manager, city/village council member).
Click the icon(s) below to view. Note that this may download to your computer depending on the file type.
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Facing East on Wilcox St. in the downtown
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Image Caption 2 (if any): Special Tee’s Wall.
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Image Caption 3 (if any): Special Tees
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