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Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
A deteriorating pedestrian tunnel along Bismarck's riverfront trail discouraged use and raised safety concerns. To address this, the organization engaged 684 residents, including older adults, in paint and mosaic parties to create dozens of mural panels and a mosaic piece. Artists were trained in the Polytab method, ensuring the mural lasts decades and withstands harsh weather. Beyond aesthetics, the project fostered social connection and creative engagement for older adults. Upon installation, the tunnel will be transformed into a welcoming space and local artists will be equiped with sustainable skills.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Souris, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Souris faced vacant spaces and fading identity after its school and church closed, leaving older residents without gathering places. Strengthen ND collected stories and photos from elders and installed a mural on the historic bank building, featuring the former school mascot. A seating area and planned memorabilia displays created spaces for reflection and connection. The mural sparked pride and inspired similar efforts in neighboring towns. One resident said, "This mural reminds me of what Souris used to be. It's more than just art; it's a piece of our history brought back to life."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Houston, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Organizers with the North Houston Management District noticed many of Houston's murals found in the city's more affluent neighborhoods. To bring quality public art to the Aldine neighborhood and draw visitors to the local library, the District painted an augmented reality mural. The artwork depicts the word knowledge on a colorful backdrop. Passersby can use a smartphone app to scan the mural, allowing them to experience additional multimedia content. The mural is the first augmented reality project of its kind in Houston. Project organizers say the creative placemaking effort is meant to build neighborhood pride and a positive local identity to lower-income, predominantly Black and Latino North Houston.
Houston, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: To increase walkability and create a safe, beautiful gathering space, Avenue CDC engaged a local artist, local schoolchildren and residents to create a 600-foot mural. The wall selected for the artwork was off-putting and had been vandalized many times. But the site also acted as the entry point to the Northline neighborhood, since the wall faces the nearby light rail station. The mural's design pays homage to local Latino culture and the history of the neighborhood. As the mural reached its completion, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston and project organizers were able to repurpose leftover grant funds to help with recovery and rebuilding.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bismarck, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: As part of Bismarck's Health in All Policies initiative, the City made improvements to its 16th Street Park, intending to create a sense of place and encourage residents to be active outdoors. To revitalize the park, project organizers installed a new bench, ADA-accessible picnic table and game table. Local artists also designed a mural for a building onsite and decorated walkways with sidewalk chalk art. To complete the activation, volunteers created designs by pushing colorful plastic cups through the park's chain link fences. Additionally, the City conducted a temporary traffic calming demonstration at a nearby roundabout in an effort to make the area safer for pedestrians.
Bismarck, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Many residents lacked knowledge about how to use public transit, creating barriers for older adults and people with disabilities-especially after the local taxi service closed. Bis-Man Transit produced 11 short instructional videos explaining trip planning, timetables, fares and stop requests. Shared online and used in training sessions, these videos provide a lasting resource to help riders feel confident using public transit. Volunteers, including an older adult and a wheelchair user, appeared in the videos to show real-life scenarios, making the system more approachable and accessible.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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