Funding totaling more than $15,000 will support murals, sculpture, film, dance, and restoration of public artworks.
The Columbia Streams Art program has awarded more than $15,000 in micro-grants to a dozen local artists, funding projects that will soon bring new creativity to public spaces across the city.
In all, 12 artists received funding ranging from $900 to $1,500, with a total of $15,250 distributed. Their projects will cover a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, stained glass, dance, murals, photography, filmmaking, and even a nature-themed light installation. One grant will also support the restoration of existing public artwork.
The selected artists are:
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Yevheniia (Jenna) Bazaliy
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Jennifer Carmiel
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Brianna Childs
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Ron Hagell
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Barbie Mathis
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Gina Moore
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Sean Rayford
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Austin Reagan
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Victoria Rickards
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Andrew Sullivan
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Patro Ulmer
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Lindsay Radford Wiggins
Applications for the awards were open from January through April, and a panel of three jurors — themselves practicing artists as well as arts administrators and educators — reviewed 17 entries.
Organizers said the program emphasizes projects that reflect Columbia’s history and community stories, encourage public use of the rivers and nearby access sites, and highlight sustainability themes such as protecting the environment, mitigating heat, and conserving natural spaces.
The juried panel noted that the program helps support local talent while also keeping the arts visible and accessible to the public. All projects funded this year will be presented in community settings as they are completed.
