Seeing is Believing
Murals that celebrate the hopes, histories and heroes of people living in Springfield now.
It’s hard to believe in the things we never see.
What would we believe - about ourselves and each other – if our public spaces were full of big, beautiful, permanent art that celebrates people just like us?
Let's find out.
A community paint party for the mural by ARCY, installed on La Fiorentina, Main Street
YOUR DONATION GENERATES A 4X BOOST TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY
An economic and community impact evaluation of our 2019 mural installations found that the economic boost to Springfield was 4 times what was contributed from Springfield funders.
The evaluation also found that the project “generated extensive positive media coverage and was effective in improving perceptions of Springfield. Coverage in TV, radio and print news stories reached almost 1.5 million people and there were over 150,000 social media impressions and likes. Almost all media outlets ran multiple stories, increasing the likely viewership and impact.”
YOUR SUPPORT RESTORES HISTORICAL LEGACIES
“I Am a Black Woman” by Nelson Stevens, photo by Clyde Santana
During FPS 2022 we recreated two Springfield murals with national historical significance, and trained 12 local artists in state-of-the-art community-engaged mural techniques.
In the early 70’s, Springfield was home to the world’s only collection of AfriCOBRA public art. Nelson Stevens, one of the founding members of AfriCOBRA, directed this groundbreaking public art program which created over 30 murals. Tragically, all but 2 murals were lost over time, including the four murals that were created by Mr. Stevens. We recreated two of his murals in 2022 and will recreate the third in 2024. Learn more about this project here.
Mural tours of Peter Pan’s vintage bus show hundreds of people Springfield like they’ve never seen it before
YOUR GIFT BOOSTS LOCAL BUSINESSES
Murals are concentrated in the small business centers of each neighborhood.
Your donation to Fresh Paint Springfield generates new economic activity in the neighborhoods and economic sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and creates permanent improvements to the city’s neighborhoods.
FPS events attracted over 1,800 people, the majority of whom participated for multiple days and in more than one way.
Engagement with the festival improved people’s perceptions of Springfield, with 75-93% of survey respondents and all interviewees (100%) reporting that the murals and festival events improved perceptions of Springfield as a desirable place to shop, dine, attend events and reside.
72% of respondents said the murals improved the sense of safety and walkability downtown and 60% of respondents made a point of walking or driving by the murals 3 or more times during the week of the festival.
For 100% of respondents, viewing the murals and attending festival events increased the likelihood that they would return to Springfield for other cultural or leisure activities.
Common Wealth Murals operates on a principle of sourcing and spending locally whenever possible, and prioritizing businesses owned by people of color and women. The independent evaluation of FPS 2019 found that “50% of FPS production spending was done at women or minority-owned businesses, even though women or minorities own only 12% of businesses in Springfield.”
YOUR GIFT REBUILDS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
After several years of social isolation and increased social tensions, the inclusive nature of Fresh Paint Springfield events will provide a new venue for reestablishing and strengthening community ties.
“Fresh Paint Springfield created a vibrant, accessible opportunity that attracts investors, businesses, consumers, tourists, and residents to be a part of Springfield as an up and coming renaissance city. Because it entailed such a wide range of elements and activities, FPS emerged as an excellent platform for engaging a broad spectrum of individuals in multiple ways to infuse the local cultural economy with new energy and a positive, fresh take.
Through FPS, sponsors, partners, and other supporters attained shared goals for transforming downtown Springfield into a vibrant, thriving cultural scene.
A critical piece of that achievement was the diverse constituents drawn to the festival from within and beyond the downtown district. Stakeholders consistently noted the array of individuals across differences of age, race, and ethnicity who mingled and interacted positively with one another and the muralists.
This expansive engagement was embedded in all elements of FPS.
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Springfield residents working with muralists NERO and SoulsNYC a community paint party, Mason Square 2021
Mural by NERO and SoulsNYC for the MLK Family Services Center, Mason Square 2021
YOUR DONATION BRINGS PUBLIC ART TO WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST
Through FPS, your donation will invest in Springfield neighborhoods for 2 years at a time. In each of these neighborhoods, the murals are concentrated where small businesses are located. FPS works closely with the City of Springfield Department of Planning and Economic Development to ensure that our contribution to local economic development is catalyzed by its alignment with the strategic priorities and other investments in Springfield’s economy. In 2022, FPS expanded its impact to the North End with that neighborhood’s first murals. We will also created murals in Mason Square, and two public art installations downtown.
The median income in the North End is $16,500, which is 81% lower than the MA average and 64% lower than the city-wide average. 53% of people in the North End live below the poverty line, which is 5.6 times higher than the MA average and 2.3 times higher than the city-wide average. The North End is 82% Latinx, 10% Black and 6.5% White.
YOUR CASH OR IN-KIND GIFT WILL BE MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR BY A GRANT FROM MASSDEVELOPMENT
Mayor Domenic Sarno, City Councilors and MA Rep Bud Williams launching Fresh Paint Springfield 2021
Gold Sponsor $15,000
permanent recognition on one mural, recognition in all publicity, in the mural light show, at festival events, and in all festival publicity, walking tour maps and signage.
Silver Sponsor $10,000
recognition on all publicity material, at festival events, in the mural light show, and in all festival publicity, walking tour maps and signage.
Bronze Sponsor $5,000
will receive recognition at festival events, and in festival publicity and signage.
