In August of this year, Barrio’s Executive Director was approached by Center for Community Progress to help compile a resource for creative placemaking practitioners and leaders around the country. The resource would highlight how leaders from across the country are working with vacant properties through arts and culture.
They conducted interviews and wrote drafts, making sure that the profiles stayed true to the communities they spoke to. Even though they wrote those words, it is necessary to mention that the stories belong to those who have been putting in the work to make it possible. The resource includes 29 profiles of initiatives nationwide, but Center for Community Progress is asking that other organizations nationwide submit their own stories to grow the list.
Barrio is proud that 5 of the initial 29 profiles are from Reading, and 2 of them highlight the work of Reading residents Ashley Dejesus-Santiago and Lourdes Monzon. Their work has inspired Barrio to create change in our community and now it will inspire change in communities across the US.
You can check out all the profiles by clicking this link.
Are you looking to learn:
– Real-life examples of how neighborhoods are using arts and culture to improve the quality of life for residents
– New tools for finding inspiration for projects using creative placemaking on problem properties
– How you can get national exposure for your own placemaking projects and connect with other innovative leaders
Then mark your calendars for November 18 at noon. Our Executive Director, Daniel Egusquiza, will be presenting with Liz Kozub from Center for Community Progress the webinar:
“Creative Placemaking: New Tools for Empowering Community-Led Revitalization”
This webinar will talk about how “arts, culture, creative organizing, and placemaking have the power to create lasting, radical change to improve quality of life for residents, even in times of crisis. Learn how to leverage your existing community assets and draw inspiration from resident-led projects to spur healing, hope, investment and the physical transformation of vacant spaces and structures through creative placemaking.”
