The City’s Cultural Trail Project includes funding for significant public artwork by an indigenous maker. The Marquette Public Art Commission has committed to providing $30,000 from matching funds. In August 2022, the National Endowment for the Arts, Our Town Grant was officially awarded to the City, providing a total of $60,000 to this unique public art project. To leverage greater funding, staff is recommending the submission of a proposal to The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, which offers a two-year award of $100,000 for Native artists through their annual SHIFT – Transformative Change and Indigenous Arts program. If successful, the grant would increase the Indigenous Public Art Project budget to $160,000.
The Cultural Trail Project is in direct alignment with the SHIFT program, which supports artistic projects that respond to and encourage social change from a Native perspective, highlighting community plans that acknowledge the resilience and strengths of Native communities – including their unique perspectives and challenges as an underserved population. The program’s overarching goal is to “shift the national narrative of invisibility, misunderstanding, and misappropriation” of Native communities. In addition, the program was designed to support artist and community-driven projects that work to engage the public in community issues, incorporate and elevate cultural assets.
This grant requires the project be led by an established career artist of Native citizenship. MPAC has selected Anishinaabe Great Lakes Artist Jason Quigno, a tribal citizen of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and a lifelong resident of Michigan. Quigno has a close connection with the Upper Peninsula, spending his early childhood in Baraga. A nationally recognized public artist, Quigno is a well-qualified choice.
This is the first phase of the application process. If accepted the City will be invited to submit a final application during the second phase this spring. Award announcements will be made fall 2023.