More Than Art: Inner-City Mural Project

Crenius is a creative agency utilizing creativity for change, propelling art and uplifting community by any means necessary. 

With our current mural and mutual aid project, we are focused on helping to change the narratives and spur needed conversations that lead to direct action and change focused on employment, mental health, community safety, increasing representation of/in the arts, improving environmental aesthetics/stewardship and more in underserved and under-represented communities. We are also looking to use this community project as a launching pad to open the doors to further collaboration/conversation between community partners/agencies to help foster more direct creative action and mutual aid in these underserved communities. We will be engaging youth and providing volunteer opportunities to beautify their community, create/paint murals, plant gardens, access resources and engage community members in a structured, positive environment. 

Budget to cover:
Painting Materials (spray paint, house/primer paint, brushes, tarp, etc.)
Clean-Up Materials (garbage bins, bags, trash grabbers)
Scaffold 
Lift 
Storage Unit
Logistics Team/Security 



Overall benefits of the mural project:

•Provide public and free access/exposure  to art and culture  for overlooked and underserved communities

•Engage youth in age-appropriate and positive activities

•Create safe and creative spaces for communities such as Whitcomb, Mosby, Creighton, Hillside, Fairfield and more

•Improve emotional well-being of community inhabitants

•Increase economic interest for investors, businesses and patrons outside of community

•Deter and reduce criminal activity such as vandalism, drug sales, gang activity, etc. by decreasing blights and increasing aesthetics

•Increase representation  of underserved communities in the arts

•Tool for civic engagement

•Professional opportunities for local artists to engage underserved communities directly

•Engender community pride- improving livability and quality of life

•Cultural heritage and city pride a tangible community asset

•Enliven where people work, visit and live which can improve community morale, respect, attitude and well-being

•Create supportive and creative learning environments. Attracts students and youth to environments conducive for both learning and fun.

•Raise public awareness of important and essential community issues, such as: unity, nonviolence, mental health, lack of mutual aid, educational resources, environmental stewardship and more.