EAST LANSING, Mich. — Rally for the Alleys, the official crowdfunding kick-off event for the Artist Alleys project in downtown East Lansing, will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Ann Street Plaza.
Rally for the Alleys will give community members and media an opportunity to learn about this innovative placemaking project and how they can support it. At 4:15 p.m., remarks from local community leaders and a keynote address from Project for Public Spaces Founder and President Fred Kent will take place in Ann Street Plaza.
At 4:45 p.m., free family activities will take place in a number of public spaces, including live music, caricaturists, life-sized board games, 3-D printing, food samples from Velvet A Candy Store and El Azteco, a photo booth and much more.
The public spaces are located in the Grove Street alley adjacent to Ann Street Plaza, the East Plaza at the Marriott and the pedestrian alley in the 500 block of E. Grand River Avenue.
The community and media are welcome to attend and participate in the activities.
About the Artist Alleys Crowdfunding CampaignThe East Lansing community is launching a $45,000 crowdfunding campaign to revitalize and redesign two public spaces into active and creative Artist Alleys in downtown East Lansing today.
The crowdfunding campaign is part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Public Spaces, Community Places program. Through Patronicity, an innovative fundraising platform, the community can make tax-deductible donations. If the project reaches its crowdfunding goal of $45,000 by Nov. 12, MEDC will provide a $45,000 matching grant.
The Artist Alleys project will revitalize and redesign two new public spaces in downtown East Lansing. The public spaces are located in the Grove Street alley adjacent to Ann Street Plaza and the pedestrian alley in the 500 block of E. Grand River Avenue. The redesign of the alleys will include new lighting, planters, landscaping, outdoor game tables and chairs and benches. In addition, the Grove Street Alley will include the installation of an East Lansing-themed public art mural and the pedestrian alley will include a multi-generational mosaic art project created by both senior citizens and youth.
The project is coordinated by a number of community partners, including the City of East Lansing, Michigan Municipal League, Greater Lansing Association of Realtors, the Downtown Management Board, East Lansing Arts Commission, Prime Time Seniors’ Program and the East Lansing Public Schools.
To donate, community members can visit to make an online donation and to learn more about the project, including design concepts and a project summary. The fundraising goal must be met by Nov. 12 for the project to qualify for the $45,000 matching grant from the MEDC.
Community members can follow the project on social media at #ELArtistAlleys.
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