P.A.R.T.Y in Chicago: engaging communities through art for urban transformation
Project: developing the Public Art Reimagining Tour with You (P.A.R.T.Y) campaign
The Purpose
The INVEST South/West initiative seeks to address generations of disinvestment in 10 neighbourhoods on the city’s south and west sides. It aims to breathe new life into these areas by focusing on priority investment corridors for streetscape and public realm enhancements, including infrastructure improvements, landscaping and community plazas. To align with this initiative, a public art campaign, known as P.A.R.T.Y., was introduced to create a Public Art Vision for each neighbourhood.
The Challenge
A challenge faced by the initiative was the need to address long-standing disinvestment in these neighbourhoods. Additionally, the challenge of aligning public art investments with corridor renovation projects and ensuring community engagement and input was crucial. The initiative sought to involve local artists and communities in shaping the direction of these investments, making it a participatory process.
By aligning public art investments with corridor renovation projects and actively involving the community, it seeks to create a positive impact on the visual and cultural aspects of neighbourhoods.
The Solution
To address these challenges, the P.A.R.T.Y. (Public Art Reimagining Tour with You) campaign was introduced. It involved an artist-led public engagement team, which included local artists and planning support from Borderless Studio and PORT. This team conducted public input events in several neighbourhoods, seeking community input to guide investment priorities. The plans created through this campaign outlined public art themes, types and locations unique to each neighbourhood, contributing to its renewal.
The Impact
The impact is aimed at rejuvenating these 10 neighbourhoods on the city’s south and west sides. By aligning public art investments with corridor renovation projects and actively involving the community, it seeks to create a positive impact on the visual and cultural aspects of these neighbourhoods. The Public Art Vision for each neighbourhood aims to contribute to their improvement, making them more attractive and vibrant places to live and work.
Images Courtesy of Getty/Canva
