Osprey by Denis Kleine (David R. Gluns Photography/City of Nelson)

Osprey by Denis Kleine (David R. Gluns Photography/City of Nelson)

New Columbia Basin Trust program to support public art and local artists

$750,000 will be available for murals, sculptures and mosaics created by basin artists

Expect to see some amazing and local public art pop up around town in the next three years.

The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) announced on Tuesday they’ll be creating a new funding program called Public Art Grants that will specifically support artists across the basin.

$750,000 in grants will be made available to Kootenay-Columbia communities over the course of the next three years to help with purchasing and installing original works of fixed art in public spaces.

Those are expected to be things like murals, sculptures or mosaics.

The only catch? They must be designed by artists from the region, and must be installed in well travelled spaces.

“Public art benefits residents and visitors by creating a vibrant atmosphere,” said a CBT spokesperson in a media release. “It makes our communities more engaging, enhances our economies and adds to quality of life. It also helps communities showcase local Basin-based artists.”

Arts councils, local governments and First Nations are eligible to apply.

The grants will fund up to 80 per cent of the artwork purchased and the instillation of the piece up to a maximum of $30,000.

The deadline for this years intake is June 28, 2018.

@Jnshermanjake.sherman@revelstokereview.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

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