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Delaware Art Museum (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
Wilmington's aging public art was falling into disrepair, eroding neighborhood pride and cultural history. To address this, the museum launched a six-month Public Art Stewards program, employing eight residents to clean and document 21 works of art and refurbish six pieces. Participants also earned OSHA and CPR certifications plus financial literacy training, building skills for future employment. The effort restored neglected art, improved neighborhood aesthetics and created career pathways. One steward shared, "Public art is so integral to the evolving soul of our city... This program is such a cool path to personal enrichment and future opportunities."
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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St. Thomas, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: The Virgin Islands Council on the Arts commissioned local artists -- all of whom were older adults -- to create four murals at a local recreational complex. Intended to extend the Yacht Haven Public Arts Initiative into more neighborhoods, the new murals focus on Virgin Islanders' heritage and history. Subject matter includes an ocean vista with sail boats, a scene from everyday Island life and an homage to local athletes. Project organizers say they hope the new public art instills a sense of neighborhood identity and adds color to walls that would otherwise go unnoticed.
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.
Farmington, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Downtown Farmington's alleys lacked safe inviting spaces for cultural engagement, limiting walkability and social connection. The council converted an alley into a pocket park with walking pavers and murals, including a Navajo Code Talker portrait and cultural symbols. Older adults volunteered as guides and storytellers during art walks, sharing local history. The space now hosts jazz nights, art classes and receptions, creating a lasting venue for connection.
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Wilmington, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Older adults in Wilmington's District 8 faced isolation and limited access to cultural experiences after the pandemic. To address this, the museum installed six large-scale murals across the neighborhood, including two at nearby living centers, featuring Jazz Age illustrations and quotes. These vibrant works transformed building facades into accessible art spaces, encouraging residents to step outside and engage with their community. The project sparked plans for annual installations to sustain revitalization. As one councilmember said, "The Delaware Art Museum team has done it again... Wilmington has yet another nationally, if not internationally, known exhibit right here in our backyard."
Wilmington, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Gardening offers proven benefits for memory and mental health, yet many older adults struggle with mobility and strength, and residents in underserved neighborhoods lack access to fresh food. To address this, the organization purchased 105 ergonomic tools like telescopic rakes and kneeling benches, making gardening safer and more accessible. Volunteers, including 15 older adults, helped maintain community gardens and urban farms, fostering social connections and improving well-being. One volunteer said the new kneeling pads made gardening much more comfortable, enabling her to keep contributing.
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