SALISBURY — From skatepark murals to circus shows, a recent round of Essex County Community Foundation grants will allow Salisbury and Amesbury to bring in more art locally.
ECCF gave out a total of $110,000 earlier this month to local communities as part of its Creative County grant program. Among the recipients was Salisbury, which received $20,000 to create a mural at the Partridge Brook Skate Park.
Opening last summer, town officials have long stated their interest in seeing some kind of art there.
“Our hope is to really create a new community go-to spot down at the skatepark, to make it a friendly, good place to meet people and visit,” Town Planner Lisa Pearson said.
Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Roketenetz said she is hopeful the mural will reduce vandalism there.
“We hope that, kind of like the broken windows theory, if something looks really nice and well-kept, then it will stay that way,” Roketenetz said.
Artists have until June 16 at noon to submit proposals. The winning artist will be notified of June 20, with a goal of having the mural finalized in mid-August.
In terms of requirements, artists have been given a rather broad scope, with the main focal point being community participation. The selected artist will be required to hold at least one community painting day in order for all stakeholders to feel involved.
“We want to create a space that feels like it belongs to the users; the skateboarders, the families bringing their kids, anyone who attends the park,” Roketenetz said.
Over in Amesbury, a $20,000 ECCF grant will be used to bring nonprofit group Theater in the Open to City Hall where it will turn the space into a circus full of artistic performances featuring local participation.
Based at Newburyport’s Maudslay State Park, TITO will have three performances at City Hall over the next year. In the lead-up to each performance, TITO will hold an eight-week workshop for kids ages 10 to 15 so that they can perform in the show.
TITO Artistic Director Edward Speck said the goal is to bring the entire community together.
“By bringing together professional artists and student artists, artisans and local businesses, we mean to hang an open flag outside of City Hall for an event that is easily accessed on foot and by public transportation,” Speck said.
ECCF Creative County Program Director Karen Ristuben said it is more important now than ever to continue supporting art locally.
“The long-term viability of the arts is consistently and increasingly under threat,” Ristuben said.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.