Social Justice Billboard Project

                                     Please join us in supporting the
                                   “Social Justice Billboard Project.”


NE Sculpture ∣ Gallery Factory has leased 3 commercial billboards at George Floyd’s memorial site
at the corner of 38th and Chicago Ave S. in Minneapolis. Two of the Billboards are on top of the Cup
Foods; the third is diagonally across the square. The first 3 artworks were installed starting on
Monday, July 13, 2020. The 2nd group of artists & art started Friday, October 30, 2020. Phase II of the project with 3 new billboards began April1, 2021.

Phase II artists are: Jim Denomie, Seitu Ken Jones, & Xavier Tavera.
The 2nd group of artists are: Naima Green, Ivan B. Watkins, & Jessica Wimbley.
The first three artists participating are: William Ransom, Peyton Scott Russell, & Melodee Strong.

Our goal began as a need to fund the 3 Billboards for 12 months, each with new art every 3 months. We originally asked for assistance in supporting one year of usage for all three billboards; which will offered the
opportunity to 3 new Black, Indigenous, and People of Color every 3 months. With support from the original GoFundeMe Fundraiser,
we exhibited a total of nine artists over 10 months. 

The Social Justice Billboard Project elevates BIPOC voices and artwork in our community in Minneapolis, MN using the three billboards facing the intersection of Chicago Ave. S and 38th St. E, the site of George Floyd's memorial. This Project was initiated in response to the murder of George Floyd and inspired by Peyton Scott Russell's "Icon of a Revolution" mural placed at Mr. Floyd's memorial site in the days following his death. Phase I of the project started July 2020 and was entirely community funded thanks to contributions and social media promotion from supporters like you. Thank you!

We are very grateful to Naima Green, Ivan B. Watkins, Jessica Wimbley, William Ransom, Peyton Scott Russell, and Melodee Strong for sharing their work in Phase I, which ran July 2020 - March 2021 at the George Floyd vigil site on Chicago Ave. S and 38th St. E. Additional documentation is on our website: https://ne-sculpture.org/billboard-project

& full of dreams too, Naima Green, NY

To All My Relations (Metakuye Oyasin), Ivan B. Watkins, LA

Masking; Testament, Jessica Wimbley, CA

The Gospel of George by William Ransom

MIX by Peyton Scott Russell

Mama by Melodee Strong

 
Original 2020-21 Budget:

1 Billboard for 4 weeks 500. + production of 200. = 700.
2 Billboards (4 weeks only) no artist honorarium = 1400. 
3 billboards (4 weeks only) no artist honorarium = 2100. 

For One Year - One Board = 52 divided by 4 = 13 payments of 500 = $6,500.
*Rental only, no production/printing, no artist honorarium.

Scan original Art  150 x 3                                         = 450.
New Art/Artist production every 3 Months = 200. 
Production/printing boards x 3 billboards    = 600.

                                                                                Total = 1,250.


One Board - one year - art changed every 3 Months: 6,500. + 1,250. = 7,750.
Three Boards - one year - art changed every 3 Months:                           = 23,250.


Artists Honorarium per Art/Artist = 1,000.  
One Board x 4 Artists                            = 4,000. 
12 Artists Boards                                  = 12,000.


So One Board for one year     = 7,750. 
Artist Honorarium: 4,000 = $11,750. 

  
1 Board - 1 year - 4 Artists = 11,750. x 3 Billboards - one Year - Total = 35,250.

If we raise less than needed for 1 year we will run the program until the funds are depleted.
Depending on the amount of funds raised, we will extend the program for as long as possible.
The 3 billboards with the 3 initial artworks was financed by NE Sculpture ∣ Gallery Factory for the
first four weeks. Since then we have raised enough funding to keep going until January 15th 2021. Phase II of the Social Justice Billboard Project has been made possible with support awarded by the National Academy of Design, Abbey Mural Prize, starting April 1, 2021.
We would like to see this program continue for at least 1 year or longer, depending on the funds we
are able to raise!
                                                                                                    

NE Sculpture is seeking support to extend the Social Justice Billboard Project indefinitely from individual patrons, foundations, and businesses. No donation is too small. Please join us in supporting
this ambitious new Social Justice Art and Artist Program. We are very thankful for your help,
support and contribution.
You are an important part of the story. We appreciate you, especially your heart. Thank you!

Individual full-length artist interviews:
William Ransom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNLn00CNVSc 
Peyton Scott Russell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN1lq66N-ik 
Melodee Strong - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Q8m1x-M1w