Flint Energies Rural Murals Program

The Flint Energies Rural Murals Program establishes a collaboration between Flint Energies and the local, rural community to create murals that carry lasting impact, sparks economic development and is the focal point of community discussion. The focus is to celebrate the unique history and diversity of our local rural communities. It is vital to establishing a strong sense of place for residents by creating suitable and recognizable murals within a community/downtown. The program intends to increase the number of public murals across Flint’s service territory, while supporting the incredibly talented artist community within Middle Georgia. Flint Energies will identify and partially fund the projects that highlight positive images of the Middle Georgia area’s history and culture. 

Our murals are designed to bring travelers off main interstates to travel the backroads…off the beaten path to discover the vast resources our area has to offer. Money spent in the towns that host the murals will directly benefit as the funds are given by visitors and not long-time residents.

Our hope is to positively impact the aesthetics, activation, marketability and perception of each winner’s community; increase property values and serve as a catalyst for continued private sector investment through visible improvements. We hope that the mural will provide a visually-friendly environment for residents and visitors to dine, shop, work and live.

Our first Rural Murals project, completed in 2019, can be found in downtown Oglethorpe, Georgia (see photo above).

Each mural tells a story

Murals are created by the selected artist(s). Mural is custom-made for each location. From conception to installation, each mural will reflect the community’s unique history (i.e., prominent industry, local festival, folklore, etc.). Ideally, each mural would have historical significance and/or aesthetic quality. Scale and color are used to provide depth and perspective in the mural.

No two murals are the same. Each mural is custom made, and each location has a specific wall upon which the mural can be installed. Community historical societies, libraries and archives will be relied upon to assist with themes and local images that will resonate with the community. Our murals resonate with consumers and community leaders, who appreciate our efforts to celebrate their communities. It is our hope that the mural will become a focal point in the community.

Each mural includes a caption and credits the community organizations that partnered together to make the mural possible. The legend or mural key is installed next to the mural.

The mural will be unveiled to the public in a fun and creative setting that creates excitement for the community.

Why paint a mural?

• Beautify blighted areas
• Build and strengthen the culture of a community
• Prevent tagging
• Create a greater appreciation of the visual arts
• Give an artist a canvas to express themselves

Applicant Criteria

• Mural location must be within one of the 17 counties Flint Energies serves (Bibb, Chattahoochee, Crawford, Dooly, Harris, Houston, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Muscogee, Peach, Schley, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Twiggs and Upson); small, rural towns are preferred.
• Local city or county government; local authority; chamber of commerce; arts council; legal property owner and/or business owner/tenant with written property owner consent; other community group or members of any of the aforementioned groups working together to achieve this goal
• Contact information of applicants – name, address, phone number, email, website
• Proposed mural location
• Property taxes must be up-to-date
• Property must be up to current code and have no outstanding code enforcement actions pending against the property
• Brief description of how the mural will improve the community, how the community will be involved in the project process and how will the project be promoted.

Restrictions

• No political or social content

Eligible costs covered by the grant

• Artist services
• Wall preparations
• Artist supplies
• Equipment rental
• Lighting

Ineligible costs not covered by the grant

• Brand advertising
• Barricades
• Debris cleanup or control; dumpster fees
• Demolition
• Interior renovations or improvements
• Permits
• Sales tax
• Standard building exterior renovations, improvements, etc.
• Surveys – asbestos or lead testing
• Utility costs

Funding availability

Grant funding is limited and subject to availability. In 2020, $12,500 is available for one mural. The community is required to match at least $2,500 or more in funds, depending on the size and scale of the mural.

 Application process

A completed online application (see below), commitment form (see below) and accompanying documents must be submitted for review to Flint Energies by 5 pm March 31, 2020. Applications should be mailed to Flint Energies Rural Murals Program, Attn:  Marian McLemore, PO Box 7089, Warner Robins, GA  31095. Only completed applications received by the deadline will be reviewed by a panel of art professionals and Flint Energies representatives.

Application must include:

• Current color photographs of site and structures relating to the mural work area
• Proof of current property ownership
• Brief community history
• Potential themes for mural
• Proof that property taxes are paid

Promotional rights

By accepting grant funds, the participant authorizes Flint Energies to promote the project and property including, but not limited to, displaying a sign a the site during and after construction indication participation in the program, and using photographs and descriptions of the project and property in Flint Energies’ promotional materials, press release, website and social media sites.

Timeline

Deadline to apply:          March 31, 2020

Notification of award:    April 30, 2020

Projected start date:      May 31, 2020 

Projected completion date:        August 31, 2020

Application questions & support

Please contact Marian McLemore, VP of Cooperative Communications

[email protected]         478.218.5600

 

Click here to download Flint Energies Rural Mural Commitment Form. Commitment Form is to accompany all applications.

2020 Flint Energies Rural Murals Program Online Application