Crowdfunding campaign launched to support UICA's Exit Space Project in Grand Rapids

$10,000 goal to secure matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support a series of 2-3 public murals in downtown Grand Rapids. 

“This project will help complement all of the exciting things happening in Grand Rapids that continue to attract new residents, visitors and businesses to downtown,” said MEDC Community Assistance Team Specialist Nate Scramlin. 

If the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts attains its crowdfunding goal of $10,000 by March 18, MEDC will provide a $10,000 matching grant. For project details and to donate, please visit: https://www.patronicity.com/project/uicas_exit_space_project#/. 

UICA’s Executive Director Miranda Krajniak said, “It is a UICA priority to create partnerships in the creative and business communities that will increase Grand Rapids' vibrancy, build the sense of creative place for our residents and visitors, and advance the city's identity as a growing collaborative ecosystem that nurtures business, technology, art, and design.”

The UICA’s Exit Space Project is a dynamic series of art by contemporary artists in public spaces. The first volume of The Exit Space Project was featured on a public venue at UICA facing Fulton Ave in downtown Grand Rapids. With the funding raised by this campaign, Exit Space Project will expand to other public spaces of the city.

Contributions to the Exit Space Project will support artists’ honorariums, travel expenses, materials and installation. UICA is focused on selecting sites and artwork that together activate underutilized areas and create vibrant streetscapes.

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of transformational projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.