<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><p class="">The Downtown Akron Partnership Emerging Leaders, through the MyAkron
committee, seeks submissions for 10 individual art designs – each
honoring one of Akron’s unique wards – to be printed on high quality
vinyl wraps. These wraps will be installed on utility boxes throughout
Downtown Akron as part of the #AkronArtBox Project.</p><p class="">The committee
will accept project proposals from Feb. 1 – March 4. The committee and
the selected artists will help raise awareness and funds for the project
through an online crowdfunding campaign and events designed to help
people engage with the project. Artists will be paid a stipend of $100.
All money raised will be used to support the completion of the project.</p><p class="">Artwork
on utility boxes is a concept that has been utilized in other cities to
create an enlivened, safe, inclusive and inspired environment. By
commissioning neighborhood-inspired public art projects, a vibrant
downtown is created that is representative of the citizens of the
community and serves as a gateway to the city.</p><p class="">In an effort to
enhance Downtown Akron as an attractive and desirable place to live,
work and visit, several projects have been successfully designed and
implemented to clean up and beautify the area. These projects have taken
place alongside a series of initiatives focused on increasing civic
participation within Akron’s diverse neighborhoods. The utility box
project builds upon this momentum, bringing together residents from all
areas of the city to collaborate on a project that builds value for the
arts community and strengthens civic pride. This relatively small-scale
project is a simple way to make Akron more vibrant and livable.</p><p class="">“Last
year’s #LovetheWall was a tremendous success,” said 2016 Committee
Chair Benjamin Rexroad. “But it only involved one artist. This year, we
wanted to do something that would give more Akronites a chance to
participate. In choosing our artists, we want to make sure to extend
this opportunity to artists of all abilities and backgrounds,
highlighting the diverse range of talent within our city. By focusing on
Akron’s neighborhoods – through honoring our 10 wards- we are drawing
the connection between the neighborhoods and downtown and between people
who, maybe, never have the chance to come together.”</p><p class="">#AkronArtBox
is the second project to emerge from the reorganization of MyAkron,
which began in 2012 as an initiative to micro-fund smaller projects.</p><p class="">Pete
Nischt, DAP Emerging Leaders president, said the new model is “designed
to allow everyday citizens the chance to take part in making one
transformational change downtown each year.”</p><p class="">The RFP can be downloaded at: <a href="http://www.downtownakron.com/myakron" target="_blank" class="">www.downtownakron.com/myakron</a>. Artists can contact Benjamin Rexroad, committee chair, at <a href="mailto:benjamin@artsnow.org" target="_blank" class="">benjamin@artsnow.org </a>for more information.</p><p class=""><strong class="">About Downtown Akron Partnership Emerging Leaders</strong></p><p class="">The
Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) Emerging Leaders was established in
2010 to assist in attracting and retaining young professionals and
enhancing DAP’s mission of building and promoting a vibrant, valuable
Downtown. The Emerging Leaders includes members 35 years of age and
younger from a variety of organizations.</p><p class=""><strong class="">About Downtown Akron Partnership</strong></p><p class="">The
mission of Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is to promote and build a
vibrant and valuable downtown. DAP is a non-profit organization
dedicated to bringing people, activity, business and a thriving civic
life to the heart of Akron. Through strategic marketing, clean and safe
programs and management of downtown’s resources, DAP works to promote
downtown as a gathering place in the center of our community.</p><p class="">DAP’s
members include property owners, business leaders and government
officials who want to improve the image of downtown as a safe,
convenient location for business, working professionals and families.
DAP is governed by a board of trustees as diverse as the interests of
our city. DAP is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight
Foundation, Akron Community Foundation and GAR Foundation.</p>
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