Downtown Arlington Receives Grant from Arlington Cultural Tourism Council for New Public Art Initiative

The Downtown Arlington Management Corporation is pleased to announce that it has received a $25,000 Cultural Tourism grant from the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council. The funds will help support the launch event for a new initiative, the Downtown Arlington Mural Project.

The goal of the Downtown Arlington Mural Project is to stimulate the creation of a series of murals throughout Downtown Arlington and dedicate them through a public event to be held in Fall 2018.

“Studies show that tourists want to engage with locals through immersive experiences,” said Aldo Fritz, President and CEO of DAMC. “We foresee that the launch of the Downtown Arlington Mural Project will positively impact the decision to travel to Arlington by individuals, families, art patrons, history buffs, and other visitors who are driven to experience unique landmarks and engage with them via social media story-telling.”

The Arlington Cultural Tourism Council (ACTC) awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. In doing so, ACTC seeks to enhance and diversify cultural tourism development, expansion, and marketing throughout the City of Arlington.

“Arlington Cultural Tourism grants are earmarked for events that have the potential to increase visits by people who live outside of Arlington,” said Susan Gunn, Chair of the ACTC. “We’re looking for innovative ways to reach these cultural tourists who have an affinity for historical, artistic, musical, or lifestyle offerings. We look forward to seeing the event that the DAMC creates to achieve those goals.”

Designated by the State of Texas in 2016 as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington is both the city’s historic center and creative engine. Within its 7-block radius, Downtown is home to an impressive concentration of fine and performing arts institutions; a growing number of restaurants, retail and residential developments; a blossoming coworking scene; and The University of Texas at Arlington.

According to Fritz, the launch of the Downtown Arlington Mural Project will also serve as a catalyst for a broader public art initiative.

“The Downtown Arlington Mural Project will help lead us to a broader Urban Art Initiative,” said Fritz, “one that will allow us to visually connect the dots throughout Downtown. Through this comprehensive approach, we can directly and positively impact the reputation, status and placemaking of the Arlington Cultural District as a hub for creative activity as well as a compelling tourist destination.”

Call for Artists

Visit the Downtown Arlington website for information regarding the current call for artists to participate in the inaugural Downtown Arlington Mural Project.

About the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council

The Arlington Cultural Tourism Council is comprised of Arlington citizens and representatives from many facets of the city’s tourism industry. Through its grant programs, the ACTC strives to attract incremental tourists to Arlington, diversify Arlington’s tourism offerings, enrich and cultivate Arlington’s arts and cultural assets, establish Arlington as a premier cultural tourism destination, enhance Arlington’s quality of life and increase Arlington’s appeal to attract new long-term investment into the community. More at arlingtonculturaltourism.org

About the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation

Since November 2007, the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC) has operated as a private, non-profit community development organization whose purpose is to forge alliances between property owners, business interests, residents and the City of Arlington to improve and enhance the economic vitality and overall environment of Downtown Arlington. DAMC is professionally staffed and is governed by a Board of Directors, which is composed of a cross section of stakeholders and community partners. More at downtownarlington.org/about/damc

About Downtown Arlington

Designated by the State of Texas as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington blends a unique mix of activities, sights, tastes and sounds that attract visitors and locals alike. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home to a top tier public research university, prolific fine and performing artists and arts institutions, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. More at downtownarlington.org