Wilmington, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: The project will employ and train 10 residents to conserve and maintain 30 works of public art, most of which are currently in disrepair. In the process, the program will promote interest in the arts in the local community.

Frederiksted, VI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: To highlight the culture, history and traditions of the island of St. Croix, the VI Council on the Arts created a new mural. A local artist blocked out the artwork's design, then project organizers engaged volunteers -- including retired community members and people with disabilities -- to help paint. Installed in a busy area frequented by local fishermen, the mural depicts fish and coral native to the Virgin Islands. In the future, the Council plans to work with the community to create more murals.

Malvern, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: The community of Malvern is an art hub for the region, but several spaces in the town were underutilized and aesthetically unappealing for residents and visitors. Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development improved two public corridors, allowing people to gather there. The Wabash Trace Corridor now boasts upcycled metal art panels. Additionally, artists and volunteers transformed an underutilized alley on the east side of Main Street into Malvern's Art Alley. The Art Alley -- which connects Malvern's downtown -- features murals on fences, garage doors and the backs of buildings. An interactive map includes a QR code, which links to a website showing the locations of each piece of public art.