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Public Art Fund Now Available In Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)– The city of Fayetteville has set aside $100,000 for local artists to create public art. The funding is handled by the Advertising &am...

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)-- The city of Fayetteville has set aside $100,000 for local artists to create public art.

The funding is handled by the Advertising & Promotion commission, which is responsible for tourism. Chairman Matthew Petty said this is the first year this type of funding will be available to artists.

"Art inspires us and is something that makes life worth living," Petty said. "It makes Fayetteville a place worth living in."

He said the money can go toward any kind of public art. Petty said they aren't accepting proposals yet, but he said they plan to give between $10,000-$12,000 per project.

"It could be sculptures, it could be murals, it could be infrastructural art like lighting," Petty said. "So the door's really wide open."

Local artist Jason Jones has already created a large mural in downtown Fayetteville. He said he was the first artist to ask the commission for funds for this type of project.

"This was all kind of new," Jones said. "I think the new funding that's coming out has kind of spurred from me getting funds on this."

Petty said the Unexpected Project in Fort Smith helped push the funding forward by proving art can increase tourism. Jones said he hopes more street art will have the same effect in Fayetteville.

"I think in the big picture it makes the city more eclectic and people are proud of it," Jones said.

Petty said the commission will likely start accepting proposals by the end of the summer.

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