Frederick, MD— The Frederick Arts Council announces that the organization has been awarded a $252,000 Focus Grant from the Ausherman Family Foundation. These grants are by invitation only and designed to be a three- to five-year commitment to help an organization get the project or program started while allowing them time to make it self-sustainable. The Frederick Arts Council will utilize the grant to establish the countywide public art program outlined in its recently completed Public Art Master Plan. The vision of the “Connections” Public Art Master Plan and the aim of the program the Focus Grant will help develop, is to promote “a Frederick where public art connects residents and visitors, expresses an authentic and unique sense of place, drives economic prosperity through creativity, and advances a culturally inclusive and empowered future.”
Initial objectives of the public art program and of the Arts Council include hiring a full-time Public Art Program Manager and catalyzing three inaugural projects including a mural on the north side of 201 S. Market Street. The mural will depict greenery and other elements of nature and is designed to provide a colorful “entryway” to Frederick’s historic downtown from South Market Street.
“Frederick deserves a strong and cohesive public art program which will develop and sustain transformative public art projects for generations to come,” said Leigh Adams, Executive Director of the Ausherman Family Foundation which also funded part of the public art master plan.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the Ausherman Family Foundation’s investment, and we look forward to a partnership that will benefit the entire community,” said Louise Kennelly, Executive Director of the Frederick Arts Council.