Project Name: Birmingham Art Walk
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Municipal Government
What is the entity’s name:
City of Birmingham
Website URL
https://www.bhamgov.org/about_birmingham/city_government/codes___ordinances.php
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
City Government of Birmingham, MI
Instagram Handle
bhamgov
What is the name of the primary contact for this entity’s application/project?
Brooks Cowan
What are their preferred pronouns?
He/him/his
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Where will your project take place? (please include city/village too)
Downtown Birmingham
Anticipated project launch date
October 12, 2023
Briefly describe your project idea including your role and any project partners.
The Birmingham Public Arts Board is partnering with the Birmingham Shopping District and the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. Artists will be partnered with various shops throughout downtown Birmingham where they may display their artwork throughout the store. Patrons may buy art and store items.
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.
The $5,000 will be spent on stipends for artists who participate, as well as signage and wayfinding to help direct patrons to participating stores and artists.
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 4.25.23. Confirmed member status. Confirmed lead artist existence and will be paid. Confirmed viable project location. Confirmed LOS. Second business is a local store of what appears to be a national company; Helen and I decided to accept such partners for this year.
https://www.hometownlife.com/story/life/2016/12/03/one-stop-shopping-bbac/94794346/
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Why does your community need this project?
The Birmingham Shopping District and Public Arts Board want to bring people together for a social activity that celebrates art, artists, and downtown shops. The intent is to bring people together and showcase the variety of art, retail, and restaurants that Birmingham has to offer.
How will you engage your community in this project?
Information about the event will be posted multiple times on Birmingham’s social media and website. Emails regarding the event will be sent to everyone enrolled in Birmingham’s newsletter. Signage will also be created for downtown businesses interested in participating. the Birmingham Shopping District and BBAC will also help to raise awareness of the event through their network channels.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
We hope to create another reason for people to visit downtown Birmingham and all of its businesses. We are hoping to increase awareness of the various shops downtown by partnering them with artists involved on an art walk tour. We also hope to assist the artist community by promoting their work and enabling a showcase event, and we hope to bring people together to socialize and interact in our downtown.
How will the project celebrate the community’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
The project will celebrate the community’s diversity by partnering a wide range of artists with a wide range of shops in our downtown. The intent of the art walk is to bring in a diverse range of ages, cultures, and socio-economic statuses to walk around, socialize, and take in the variety of art and commerce in the downtown.
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.
We have the BBAC director who has a wide network of artists to bring in. We have an active group of Birmingham Shopping District members who are eager to participate in this year’s art walk. We can also draw from our experience of last year’s art walk to make this year’s even better.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist First and Last Name:
Scott Brazeau
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
The artist is a metal smith who combines nature and human elements into art.
How will the artist be involved in this project?
The artist will display work in a downtown retail shop that is aesthetically similar to the artist’s work.
Are there other artists involved in this project?
Yes
What are their names and what sort of art form do they practice?
Laura Host, Diane Smith, Fran Wolok, and many others – Most of participating artists perform a mix of abstract art
How will they be involved in the project?
All artists participating will be paired with a retail shop in Birmingham’s downtown. The goal is to pair the artists with a retail store that is thematically similar to artist’s work.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Business 1: Business Name:
Hazel’s
Business 1: Business Type:
Restaurant
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Beth Hussey
Business 1: Physical Location Address
1 Peabody Street
Business 1: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
@eatatHazels
How will this partner be involved in the project?
Hazel’s restaurant will host an artist to display their artwork throughout the restaurant while visitors can purchase food and drinks in the restaurant.
Business 2: Business Name:
Lux Travel Girl
Business 2: Business Type:
Service
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Kamala Cummings
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
114 S. Old Woodward Ave, Ste 3
Business 2: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
@luxtravelgirl
How will this second partner be involved in the project?
The business will host an artist to showcase their work while people may visit the store and learn more about the host business.
Do you have additional partners (business, non-profit, etc.)?
Yes
What are their names?
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC)
What role(s) will they have in the project?
The BBAC will contribute towards recruiting participating artists, possibly providing a stipend, and pairing them with thematically similar stores.
Are they located within the same downtown or business district as the project?
The BBAC is located in Birmingham approximately 1.5 miles away from the downtown.
Will your local municipal government be involved in the project? If so, how?
Birmingham’s Public Art’s Board will assist in creating and providing wayfinding signage and assisting the artists with setting up and breaking down their presentations.
Please upload a letter of support on letterhead for your project from your local governing body (mayor, city/village manager, city/village council member).
https://mmlfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/19/City-Manager-Signature-Letter.pdf
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Hazel’s Interior
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Image Caption 2 (if any): Lux Travel Girl Building Front and Entry
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