The Greater Freeport Partnership is pleased to announce the award from the Freeport Community Foundation for its Downtown Freeport window display, #Freeport Reflections.
#FreeportReflections is a program to enliven vacant storefronts in downtown Freeport with art installations. In Spring 2020, a select number of vacant downtown storefronts will be transformed into works of art in an effort to enhance the appearance of downtown, showcase regional artistic talent, display leasing information in a clear consistent manner and get ground floor spaces leased.
The majority of the $5,796 grant award will be used for artists’ honorarium. Less than $1,000 will be used for equipment, signage and promotional materials.
“Art is a powerful tool that is often utilized by communities to facilitate community engagement, beautification and economic development. #FreeportReflections strives to promote all three. I have studied many models of storefront activation programs from various communities across the nation. #FreeportReflections is adopting aspects of other programs while also capitalizing on some things that are uniquely Freeport,” said Development Director Andrea Winter.
This award was one of 15 grants totaling $89,097.15 to 13 area non-profit organizations that provide a variety of programs and services benefiting Northwestern Illinois from the Freeport Community Foundation. These grants were presented at a Grant and Donor Reception on October 24, 2019 at the Eagles Club. Grants were awarded from the Community Needs/Marvin Unrestricted Fund and the Craig Wilson Trust.