arts-based regeneration through community ownership
Led by St. Louis Art Place Initiative and done in partnership with Dutchtown South Community Corporation, ART CO (Arts-based Regeneration Through Community Ownership) will further implement the Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods Plan, adopted in 2018. Over the next year, each organization will lead a series of projects that expand community ownership and cultural assets in Gravois Park and Dutchtown, while exemplifying what it looks for St. Louis to be an arts town at the neighborhood scale.
Funding for ART CO is financed in part through a grant of Economic Development Tax Funds from the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration.
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Bringing More Art and Cultural Assets to the Community
API will design and construct a community art space and garden at the corner of Oregon and Chippewa. Frog Garden will be restored and a flexible space that can be used for arts programming and community gatherings will be built.
One of API’s artist-homeowners will work with residents and students to create two murals on the community art space.
DSCC will commission local artists to create 15 art benches along streets in need of seating.
Creating More Community-Ownership in the Community
API will create a cultural land trust to ultimately own and steward the art and green spaces it creates.
DSCC will progress the creation of the Southside Neighborhood Trust, a legal entity that holds rental housing and is led by a board of community members and residents to preserve housing affordability and build community ownership.
DSCC will regularly convene the Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods Plan Implementation Committee to keep progressing plan implementation projects.