Crowdfunding campaign launched for the CELEBRATING MUSKEGON campaign at Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The city of Muskegon will soon have a new public art installation with the help of a crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Municipal League, and city of Muskegon announced today. The CELEBRATING MUSKEGON campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by August 13, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/mkg1.

“Creative and interactive placemaking is a way to ensure we engage with our public spaces in a dynamic way,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “The CELEBRATING MUSKEGON project is an example of that, and we are pleased to provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

This campaign will bring an iconic new sculpture to the roundabout at Pere Marquette Park. The CELEBRATING MUSKEGON sculpture will provide an iconic entryway to the lakefront and will be an original sculpture by John Littleton and Kate Vogel created as a tribute to the character and resiliency of the people and communities of Muskegon.

“The City of Muskegon is thrilled to partner with the MEDC and its Public Spaces Community Places program to help introduce this new public art installation with the CELEBRATING MUSKEGON project. We are grateful that the MEDC supports the values of placemaking in Michigan – values that are reflected in Muskegon’s growing collection of public art and the vibrancy of the surrounding community,” said Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson. “This exciting piece will contribute to the ongoing success seen in Muskegon.”

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

“Creating public spaces with accessible cultural experiences is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “Muskegon’s new sculpture will provide the community with a unique attraction for residents and visitors alike.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of June 8, MEDC has provided more than $7.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 240 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $8.65 million raised from 43,759 individual donors.

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.