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Published on January 21, 2025
Charlotte Urban Design Center Opens Applications for 2025 Placemaking Grants and Creative PoolSource: City of Charlotte

Calling all Charlotte creatives and community members looking to put their own stamp on the urban landscape—the 2025 Placemaking Grants and Creative Pool applications are now open until March 7 at 5 p.m. Managed by the Charlotte Urban Design Center (UDC), these initiatives offer a chance for individuals, neighborhoods, and businesses to pitch and possibly fund vibrant community enhancement projects. From wall murals to sidewalk dining areas, if you've got an idea, there might be a grant for that.

Applicants with a perfect project concept but uncertain about execution can now turn to the newly updated Placemaking Hub, which offers tools and guidebooks to help navigate project completion—even without external funding. According to the City of Charlotte's announcement, the UDC has allocated a $150,000 pool for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 in this cycle.

For local creatives not set on a singular project, the Placemaking Creative Pool Program connects artists with a variety of opportunities across Charlotte. This program empowers project managers to select from a roster of talent according to their project's needs, and artists can apply their skills toward community-leading initiatives. The application page promises a detailed roster of creative professionals capable of steering all manner of original compositions from concept to completion.

In praise of the programs, Alyson Craig, director of the Planning, Design & Development Department, remarked in a statement obtained by the City of Charlotte, "The Placemaking Grant Program and Creative Pool led by our Urban Design Center are shining examples of connecting residents to the resources and opportunities needed to build a more vibrant Charlotte while preserving the character of our great city." Craig's words underline an excitement for the updated Placemaking Hub intended to streamline community efforts toward realizing public space transformations.

The grant project options invite inventive developments in areas like community agriculture, playscapes, and green infrastructure. Those with queries about the process, options, or funding can attend an in-person Q&A session on Feb. 13, from 5:30-7 p.m., or if more convenient, there's a virtual session scheduled for Feb. 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Both sessions are set up as drop-in, accommodating attendees at leisure, the in-person being hosted at the UDC's studio at 1507 Camden Road.

The UDC celebrates its successful Placemaking Program, launched in 2018, with a video inviting more people to join the effort. Resources, guidebooks, and application forms are available on the Placemaking Hub, an online center for neighborhood projects. Visit the web pages for the Placemaking Grant Program and Creative Pool Program to learn more. Stay updated by subscribing to the newsletter or following @clturbandesign on social media.