Eaton County to Enhance Crandell Park with New Public Art   

LANSING, Mich. (July 2023) – Continuing its investment in public art and artist-entrepreneurs, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) awarded $10,000 for a new permanent public art installation to Eaton County through its Public Art for Communities (PAFC) grant program. LEAP’s PAFC program, with support from the PNC Foundation, cultivates the Lansing region’s sense of place to help the region compete for business and, especially, talent.

The competitive applications LEAP received for the PAFC grant program indicate the region’s robust placemaking efforts in recent years. In this grant term, the PAFC program will facilitate a new permanent art installation in Eaton County, which understands the need to deploy rigorous talent attraction efforts in order to keep the local economy vibrant.

“Eaton County is excited to have been awarded the Public Art for Communities grant. As part of the County’s overall vision for our community, this award will help us in taking steps to improve the landscape at Crandell Park by adding a unique public art piece. We look forward to this work and other improvements we will be making across the County’s Parks system” said Claudine Williams of Eaton County Community Development and Housing Department.

Crandell Park is Eaton County’s newest and largest park. Crandell Lake is the County’s largest lake, spanning nearly 160 acres, the park is an incredible addition to the community. The park is located off of East Clinton Trail in Eaton Township just east of Charlotte.

Since 2012, the PAFC grant program has invested $300,000 in growing a collection of strategically placed, permanent, public art throughout the tri-county region (Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties). The program has funded more than 48 individual pieces furnished by artist-entrepreneurs showcasing a diversity of mediums. From murals to alley walks to creative bike racks, sculptures, and more, these pieces are intentionally located to enhance community image and build a stronger sense of community.

“In partnership with PNC and our local communities, LEAP’s Public Art for Communities Grant program has made a significant impact on increasing access and exposure to arts and culture across the region,” said Bob Trezise, president, and CEO of LEAP (left).

In 2015, LEAP began working with the PNC Foundation, a strong advocate of the PAFC grant program and regional placemaking. The PNC Foundation’s annual contribution has helped expand the program and the number of pieces funded each year.

“PNC’s ongoing support of LEAP’s public art grant program reflects our national main street bank values and commitment to the communities where we conduct business,” said Timothy Salisbury, PNC regional president for Mid-Michigan. “The arts bring us together and play a critical role in supporting the economic vitality of our communities today and well into the future.”

Eaton County will launch a public Request for Proposal to seek submission ideas with the goal of completing the installations in March 2024. For updates visit www.purelansing.com/publicart

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