The mural program will provide up to $5,000 in matching contributions for selected projects.
The Yarmouth Façade Society is about to enter a new phase. In July, the society’s directors approved a Mural Grant Program, in support of its mandate to “stimulate efforts to improve the street appearance of historic Yarmouth’s business district facades.” The mural program will provide up to $5,000 in matching contributions for selected projects.
With a newly elected board in place, the society has completed the terms of reference for the program and is now ready to accept applications for the open-call competition. Downtown property owners and/or artists have until the end of January (Jan. 29) to submit applications, which are available for download on the town’s website. Find out about details and the PDF application.
The selection committee is looking for inspiring new installations in prominent downtown locations, said society president Belle Hatfield. She said project applicants might consider themes that celebrate the region’s history as a seaport, our relationship to the ocean, or our multi-cultural heritage. Or they may lean towards the whimsical.
“We want to add an element of surprise and wonder, for people visiting the downtown,” she said. “We want to give applicants broad latitude, but our goal is that the murals command attention when people encounter them. We will place a high value on the element of surprise.”
The Façade Society is a not-for-profit incorporated society of the Town of Yarmouth and is funded by the town. The society was formed in 2014 as an outgrowth of the town’s adoption of the Downtown Blueprint Plan. It administers the façade and mural program guidelines and dispenses the grant funding to successful applicants within the eligible program area.
Belle Hatfield, president Yarmouth Façade Society
hatfieldmedia@eastlink.ca (902) 749-7495
For information on the grant program property owners can contact:
Natalie Smith, Economic Development Officer, Town of Yarmouth
edo@townofyarmouth.ca (902) 742-1505 ext. 249
If you are an interested artist and have questions, contact:
David Gorman
thedmg@gmail.com (902) 740-4001
Yarmouth Façade Society President Belle Hatfield is hoping the new mural grant program
will encourage collaborations between artists and downtown property owners to create public art. (Dette MacMillan photo)