SUPPORTED BY:
This project has been generously funded by ArtPlaceAmerica and Northeast Shores Development Corporation, with added support by The Collinwood Painted Rain Barrel Project.
The artists proposing grant project ideas were part of a greater community effort to decide what subjects the projects would tackle. Youth Engagement, Healthy Eating, Vacancy and Collinwood History were the four subjects voted for.
The game was proposed for Healthy Eating, and we were required to build 'science fair' types of displays to promote our ideas to the voters of our ward. We marched in a (chilly) parade all throughout the main streets, and the first 100 voters were given a 'Ballot Box' mug made by Brick Ceramic Studio. (I chose to make my own at the same studio so one more voter could have one).
Voters ages 14 and up, residents of Ward 8, came out to 6 - 8 voting locations to cast ballots for their top 5 choices, and the top vote counts were awarded the grants, 9 total projects won.
Pictured at the bottom: Kevin Scheuring, director of Coit Road Farmer's Market and Margaret Craig, director of Grovewood Salvation Army's Learning Zone after school program and Summer camps, both won their projects and both of whom I'm lucky to partner with in my project.
Primary Funder of the Ballot Box Project.
Northeast Shores is the feet on the ground support for the Ballot Box Project, and act as our non-profit fiscal agent.
The proposing artists and local musicians marched for 4 miles along the Waterloo Arts District, residential side streets and Lakeshore Blvd. creating excitement about the arts projects. Praxis Fiber Workshop was commissioned to create hand-dyed banners.
Kevin Scheuring, Owner od SpiceHound and Director of Coit Road Farmer's Market, winner of a Ballot Box Project grant, has partnered with this project and I will offer arts workshops for his Cooking classes.
Margaret is the Director of Grovewood Salvation Army's Learning Zone after school program and Summer Camp; Her Arts Ambassador program won a Ballot Box proposal won a grant, and I am partnering with her students.
The artists created promotional materials to convey the spirit and content of our project proposals.
Curiosity and pitches on election events.
Healthy Giant sweet local carrots from Coit Road Farmer's Market as incentives to vote healthy.