The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County will receive $200,000 and Action Greensboro will receive $100,000 for projects that contribute toward the livability of their communities and help transform sites into lively, beautiful and sustainable places with the arts at the core.

“The recognition by the NEA of the North Carolina projects underscores what we’ve known for a long time — vibrant communities attract and keep citizens, that arts can be the centerpiece of our downtowns and the cornerstone of revitalization,” said Mary B. Regan, executive director of the N.C. Arts Council. “I applaud the leadership in the Triad for linking arts and design to the economic life of their communities.”

The N.C. Department of Transportation announced plans in fall 2007 to replace 11 aging bridges in a one-mile stretch of Business 40 in downtown Winston-Salem. In 2009, business, civic, political and arts community leaders, convened by the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County as an outgrowth of activity by its Public Arts Committee, decided that the opportunity existed to make the bridge replacements an esthetically exciting signature project for Winston-Salem—reflecting the city’s devotion to arts, culture and innovation.

The Creative Corridors Coalition was formed and identified additional highway projects that will be required for the Business 40 project that circles downtown Winston-Salem. By working closely with the N.C. Department of Transportation the Coalition can create a new visual environment that will have a significant impact both economically and socially and be a source of pride to the community for decades to come.

“We have had an amazing amount of cooperation thus far,” said Milton Rhodes, President and CEO the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. “I think almost everyone sensed what a landmark effort this could be and the positive impact it could have on Winston-Salem and the region for years to come. Early interest and support from Secretary of Cultural Resources Linda Carlisle; Secretary of Transportation Gene Conti, and Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco were crucial. We can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Creative Corridors’ will work in close association with the N.C. Department of Transportation. The first project will be to assemble a nationally renowned team of artists and urban designers to create a master plan for corridor development within the city. The Master Plan will recommend to the DOT design guidelines for the artistic design of bridges, railing, lighting, sound walls, and bridge abutments within the right-of-way, as well as pedestrian and biking ways, water features, and public art and festival space adjacent to the rights-of-way.

In Greensboro, the not-for-profit organization Action Greensboro has teamed with the City of Greensboro on the Downtown Greenway, a multi-use trail that winds through residential neighborhoods and business districts. This greenway is one of the very few in the country to encircle and define its downtown. Total cost for the project is estimated at $26 million and approximately $6 million has already been raised through private foundations. In addition voters have approved funds of $7 million through a Street Improvement Bond package in the Fall of 2008.

“Since 2001 Action Greensboro has worked to develop and grow the economy and community environment of Greensboro,” said Dabney Sanders, project manager for the Downtown Greenway. “We feel strongly that public art has a big role to play in retaining and attracting people and bringing more and better paying jobs to our community.”

Working with local and state organizations, as well as the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance, Action Greensboro is working to create more jobs, encourage business development and expansion and to develop initiatives that will create a vibrant community.

The NEA funds will allow public art installations as part of a planned renovation of an abandoned railroad underpass that links an economically disadvantaged part of the city to its center by way of the Downtown Greenway. The art will include the design and fabrication of 12 decorative iron gates to be placed in existing doorways along the underpass, through which will be seen two 60-foot graphic panels depicting parts of Greensboro’s history. Innovative, artistic lighting will illuminate the entire area.

“It’s significant that the NEA is awarding the grant at the same time the North Carolina Department of Transportation is working on a policy change that recognizes good design is an enhancement that is good for our economy and improves our quality of life,” Sanders said.

The NEA project grants range from $25,000 to $250,000 and were awarded to 21 communities ranging from Easton, Pennsylvania (population 26,000), to Los Angeles, California (population 9.8 million). This is the first grant program developed under Chairman Landesman’s leadership.

Media Contacts:

Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, Christine Gorelick, (336) 722-2585, ext. 123, gorelick@intothearts.org

Action Greensboro, Dabney Sanders, Downtown Greenway Project Manager, (336) 379-8353, dsanders@actiongreensboro.org