ZSR’s Inclusive Public Art initiative (North Carolina)

Their investment in inclusive public art is intended to share stories of diversity, equality, inclusion, and equity as they relate to the people and places of North Carolina, especially those whose stories are often untold or under-told.

The Inclusive Public Art initiative seeks to diversify the voices included in the decision-making processes about art in public places and is intended to spark healthy dialogue. The community engagement aspect of these grants is just as important as the art installations themselves, and ZSR is looking for communities that will authentically involve a cross-section of people, groups, and organizations in telling, discussing, and perhaps even producing the stories depicted in the art.

Projects/installations should express/demonstrate/depict one or more of the following:

• Contributions or achievements of a North Carolina person or group, especially women and people of color, whose story in a particular part of the state is not often told;
• Ways in which the racial and ethnic diversity of their communities makes their communities better; and/or,
• Ways in which cultural differences strengthen their communities.

Funding Information

ZSR will invest in multiple sites across North Carolina with anticipated awards ranging from $50,000 to $200,000+. Semifinalists will be awarded a $5,000 planning grant to support crafting their full proposals.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals are submitted by a 501(c)(3) organization, college/university, religious entity, or governmental unit.
• Proposals are for projects from communities within the state of North Carolina.
• Proposals are for permanent public art (performance-based work and temporary installation will not be considered). Permanent public art is considered to be original visual art including, but not limited to, sculptures, murals, monuments, photographic renderings, mosaics, lighting, and electronic art installations installed on a permanent basis. The location* for the art installations can be in spaces owned publicly or privately but are visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways, free of any admission fee.