Painting the Town!

Prepare yourselves, Granite State! From August 8th to the 18th, the Arts Build Community will be hosting a mural festival right in the heart of Manchester.  This will be the second mural festival in the Queen City, and an opportunity to tell community stories through public art. Community Canvas will amplify community voices

Community Canvas aims to provide a creative and collaborative experience through mural-making downtown and center city. Why downtown? Because this area is part of the cultural epicenter of the city, while also being composed of many low-income residents, small businesses, and social services. A mural project within this ward provides opportunities to celebrate Manchester's cultural diversity, beautify the neighborhood, and uplift the voice of community members who have been underserved and marginalized.

Creating Together Builds Connections

The Community Canvas Mural Program is a new initiative from Arts Build Community, a New Hampshire-based group of local artists, creators, residents, organizers, businesses, and students. We believe everyone should have access to art and feel represented in their community. 

The Community Canvas Mural Program:

• Empowers residents from marginalized communities
• Generates a sense of belonging for community members
• Provides opportunities for community members to tell their stories and see themselves represented creatively in their neighborhood
• Eliminates tangible and intangible barriers to art
• Strengthens relationships in communities

We want to make people proud of where they live: spark wonder, challenge perceptions, and be a catalyst for new and important conversations. Each artist will engage, research, and reflect while actively listening to community members, integrating their stories into each mural. The creative process can, and should, be a part of building community resilience. Leading up to the week-long event, the community will discuss how they want to be represented and what we hope these murals represent.

Your contribution will support:

• Up to 7 murals designed by local, regional, and national artists created with community
• Paint and other supplies 
• 2 - 4 public events i.e. artist talks, community night at the NH Fisher Cats and a community block party  

Here is a breakdown of what YOUR donation could fund:

• $25 gets a muralist a set of paint brushes.
• $60 gets us 1 gallon of high-quality paint.
• $75 purchases 6 quality cans of spray paint for an artist.
• $125 helps us purchase protective gear and safety supplies for artists and their assistants
• $250 will allow us to purchase a large pack of quality spray paint (20 cans). Each mural is made up of hundreds of cans of spray paint, and each one contributes to the brightness of Manchester.
• $500 helps us provide food and beverages for the artists and their assistants during the 10-day event
• $750 will help us pay for the flight and ground transportation of a muralist for the duration of their stay in Manchester

At Arts Build Community, we do what we do because we understand that art can be a catalyst for conversation, challenge our perceptions, and strengthen communities in unexpected ways.

Reminder, we can not mail gifts. Thank you gifts can be picked up
during the festival. If you would you like to waive your gifts and have
your donation go towards the making of the murals please email
artsbuildcommunity@gmail.com

How YOU Can Help

There’s a lot to be proud of in Manchester, and this is one way to highlight that. The overall budget for this festival is $110,000. Every dollar you give helps in the creation of a mural and makes positive changes in the community.  It also includes costs associated with 10-days of free community programs! Join us and make your own mark today! Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated. 

A mural program wouldn't be an arts program without swag! We have exclusive stickers for all patrons at $20 and up, t-shirts, enamel pins and more! You can pledge your support and pick up your gifts in-person during the program (or if you are out of the area, we can ship them to you)! Stop by, sport your swag and take a picture while these works of art come to life. 

Want to donate even more? 

Sponsorships are available starting at just $1,000! Click here to see the sponsorship levels and email us at artsbuildcommunity@gmail.com to be a sponsor today.

Spread the word, let your friends and family know about this summer event. We hope to see you while residents and the artists building these murals together and at the block party!

Arts Build Community would like to thank our community partners and sponsors to date! ​

Visit www.facebook.com/artsbuildcommunity & www.artsbuildcommunity.com for updates and pictures!

Reminder, we can not mail gifts. Thank you gifts can be picked up during the festival. If you would you like to waive your gifts and have your donation go towards the making of the murals please email artsbuildcommunity@gmail.com