In the whiteness of winter, an idea was born. Let’s infuse Detroit Lakes with color!!

We know that DL is a beautiful lakes community especially in the summer yet we also have some areas of town that could use a boost. “Create DL” is a community-wide effort to add color through murals and public art to many areas of our city and to celebrate regional artists, our culture, and all people in our area.

We have received a supporting grant from the Blandin Foundation but we need to raise additional funds to make the walls of DL come alive with color this summer! Please consider a gift at any level!

Why Public Art Matters:

“Public art adds enormous value to the cultural, aesthetic and economic vitality of a community. It is now a well-accepted principle of urban design that public art contributes to a community's identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors.”   -- The Amherst Public Art Commission

10 Great Reasons to Support Public Art:

1. It’s public! Everyone has access to public art. It’s directly in the public sphere and not confined to galleries or museums. 

2. It enriches our physical environments, bringing streetscapes, plazas, town buildings and schools to life. 

3. It’s a great tool for civic engagement, building social capital and encouraging civil discourse. 

4. It provides professional opportunities for artists and cultivates an environment in which the creative class thrives. 

5. It boosts local economies. Businesses supply materials and labor; restaurants, hotels and transportation companies benefit from a site that attracts visitors. 

6. It’s an investment in place making—measured by livability and quality of life—that also engenders community pride. 

7. It connects citizens to their neighbors and their shared history through documentation and celebration, and makes cultural heritage a tangible community asset. 

8. It enlivens places where people work, which can improve employee morale, productivity and respect. 

9. It creates supportive learning environments. It opens eyes—and minds! It attracts students to environments conducive to both learning and fun. 

10. It raises public awareness about important community issues, such as environmental stewardship and respect for diversity.

Courtesy of https://arkansansforthearts.org/news-events/blog/the-power-of-public-art.html

Who are Project 412 and the Historic Homes Theatre?

Project 412 was created with the dream of making Detroit Lakes and the surrounding 412 lakes area an even better community. Communities that thrive are those that invest in themselves -- always striving, innovating, and taking risks to become better.

Think of Project 412 as a catalyst, cheerleader, and connector to encourage start-ups, projects, events, ideas, public art, and more! Let's work together to DO COOL STUFF!  #DCS

Visit us at www.project412mn.org  or check us out on Facebook and Instagram!

The Historic Holmes Theatre, as an arts affiliate of the DLCCC, works to connect and inspire all ages actively, culturally, and socially through the arts. The Holmes  strives to be the hub of performing and visual arts in Detroit Lakes, connecting our community and artists through inspiring, interactive, and engaging art experiences. 

Visit us at https://www.dlccc.org/holmes-theatre.html and check out our Facebook and Instagram feeds!

Project 412 and the Historic Holmes Theatre are both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.