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Art Center director urges council to allow murals under exterior grant program
Summary
James Lynch of the Art Center asked the council to remove a restriction that would bar murals from the city's exterior grant program, saying murals drive vibrancy and local visitation; he proposed a review process rather than an outright disallowance.
James Lynch, executive director of the Art Center and chairman of the Chamber of Commerce board, asked the council on July 14 to remove or revise a restriction that would prevent murals from being eligible for an exterior grant program. Lynch said when he first put a box of chalk on the sidewalk years ago, concerns about objectionable art did not play out. "If we're going to fund a, an awning or, you know, refreshing a graphic, I think there's a misconception about what a mural could be or would be," Lynch said, arguing that murals can attract visitors and boost commercial districts.
Lynch pointed to Highwood as an example of a successful art-driven draw and said murals typically are chosen to enhance a storefront rather than be offensive. He suggested the council staff could craft review language for the grant so that applicants proposing murals would be vetted and allowed when appropriate. "If somebody is gonna use the exterior grant for a mural that there can be some sort of review," Lynch said.
The council did not take immediate action on Lynch's request; Lynch asked that the item be "removed from that agenda and reviewed" so the exterior-grant language can be revisited. Staff and councilors will consider next steps as part of program discussions.
