(This mural was created by Chaplain Geoff Guitard at Sacred Heart High School.)
The Stittsville community has an incredible number of youth who are talented artists – now is your time to shine. Crime Prevention Ottawa (CPO) are again providing funding for outdoor mural projects that support graffiti prevention, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods. The Paint it Up! Program empowers youth through community arts. Since its inception in 2010, Paint it Up! has involved more than 2,700 youth aged 12 to 25. There have been close to 85 mural projects across the city supported by an average grant of $5,000.
Funding is available for outdoor mural art projects that support graffiti prevention, youth empowerment, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods. Projects must contribute to a clean, safe and beautiful city by engaging neighbourhoods and youth in a constructive learning process to create murals to prevent or deter graffiti.
Projects must receive a pre-approved mural location; have the involvement of a local non-profit organization with youth expertise; an artist or arts organization with expertise in murals; and, a representative of the proposed mural location. CPO are releasing the call for proposals with a timeline to ensure the completion of the projects over the summer period.
Each mural should also contribute to a clean, safe and beautiful city; use the guidance of an adult mentor; increase the employable skills of youth; involve the community, youth and property owner in the design; and engage youth in all aspects of the mural project.
This year CPO have added questions to the application form about pandemic safety. All projects will be required to adhere to Public Health guidelines and ensure health and safety. We are seeking a balance between ensuring pro-social activities for youth and pandemic safety. We have also produced an information sheet with resources to assist you in developing COVID safe programming.
For more information about funding, the program guidelines and an application form, visit the CPO website at crimepreventionottawa.ca.
Applications must be e-mailed, by Friday, April 23, 2021. Please join us for our virtual information session to be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. Register for the information session.