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Redevelopment Authority approves $3,000 pilot with Erie Arts & Culture to paint boarded properties
Summary
The board authorized up to $3,000 for a 'Color of the City' pilot with Erie Arts and Culture to fund teaching artists for 8–10 youth art sessions producing painted plywood for boarded windows.
Executive Director Aaron proposed a pilot partnership with Erie Arts and Culture, led by Susanna Faulkner, called "Color of the City" to brighten boarded properties by painting plywood panels in youth-run sessions. Aaron said the program would run 8 to 10 sessions this summer and that the board-and-seal contractor would transport and install the painted sheets.
"They settled on Color of the City, and a partnership to enhance the plywood," Aaron said, describing Susanna Faulkner's board-led enthusiasm. He requested authorization for up to $3,000 to cover stipends for teaching artists (about $300 per day per artist) to run roughly 10 sessions. Aaron said the artwork would generally be one-time use and that painted sheets would be stored and cut to fit openings as needed.
Board members asked about insurance and which budget line would fund the pilot; Aaron said funds could come from the board-and-seal line within the ARPA blight mitigation program or from outreach/education lines. A board member moved to authorize the $3,000 pilot, another seconded, and Chair Jeremy Toman recorded the motion as carried by voice vote.
The pilot is intended to provide temporary visual improvement for boarded storefronts and to engage youth in neighborhood arts activities; the board asked staff to show the expenditure within an existing line item at the next budget update.
