The Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has introduced the Tourism Muralscape Initiative that provides funding for businesses or organizations considering the installation of an outdoor mural.
The initiative aims to develop street art to add vibrancy and beautification to the neighbourhoods of Thunder Bay. Applicants must abide by the program’s rules and guidelines, which are intended to uphold community standards and promote a respectful and inclusive environment while fostering a positive culture, reflecting the community’s values, and being welcoming.
Paul Pepe, manager of Tourism Thunder Bay, says there is eligibility criteria for installing outdoor murals at fixed addresses within the City of Thunder Bay limits. A maximum of $5,000 per mural will be provided as a reimbursement, not retroactive, and is available until exhausted.
The funding is provided through the CEDC Tourism Product Development Fund, which is a discretionary program with a limited funding allocation.
“In some cases, a project may meet all program criteria but may not be approved for funding as other projects may more effectively meet the criteria,” Pepe said.
Business applicants must be a Canadian legal entity as a not for profit or for profit, and must have a fixed address. Organizations with multiple locations must submit one application per location.
Each applicant must contribute at least 20 per cent of personal or organizational equity into the project. Murals will be created without incorporating business names.
Pepe says the funding policy for this program will exclude murals of an offensive, vulgar or inappropriate nature, including language, obscene imagery or themes considered disrespectful or harmful.
“Applicants must submit proposals of what they have planned,” he said.
“That said, art is diverse and subjective and what some would call graffiti is beautiful to others, so we are respectful of the broad range of styles. We work with a mural consultant, Lora Northway, and a roster of pre-approved artists to ensure the quality of murals as well as appropriate materials used for longevity.”
He added that the artist roster can be found at Tourism Muralscape Initiative – Thunder Bay Tourism. Pepe says the mural program demonstrates Thunder Bay is a progressive community that supports cultural industries.
“These murals add colour and vibrancy and tell our community stories in a positive and visually appealing way,” he said.
“As more are added, it has grown the city’s reputation as an arts destination. Many visitors seek murals out in their travels and share those images on their social channels to their own audiences, amplifying marketing reach to travel segments that appreciate art.”
Pepe pointed out that visitors have responded positively to the mural program already.
“The murals are added to our Driftscape tour app, and downloads indicate that people are using it to map out their explorations of the city to find them,” he noted.
“If visitors are making the time to explore them, they’re staying longer and more likely to support those businesses or adjacent culinary experiences. More information is available by sending an email to tourismmuralscapeinitiative@gmail.com.
