Louisville Unveils “Love In The Street” Art Installation

Published May 16, 2019 | By Dispatch_MrsB

Mayor Greg Fischer today joined community partners for two arts announcements: the awarding of a $75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the completion of the “Love in the Street” public art installation.

“Today, we are excited to celebrate the completion of a public art project, Love in the Street, and a grant award that will support more public art in Louisville through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts. Public art plays an important role in the vibrancy of a city. It is art and artists that encourage us to reflect on and continue a dialogue about our culture and who we want to be as a city,” said Mayor Greg Fischer.

National Endowment for the Arts grant

With the grant funds, Louisville Metro Government’s Office of Advanced Planning and Fund for the Arts will collaborate with the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), the Center for Neighborhoods, Louisville Public Media, and other local organizations and artists to infuse community-based arts experiences into the TARC public bus system and primary service locations.

The project, called New Routes for Arts Access and Engagement, includes enhancing TARC buses with artworks, activating public spaces along primary TARC routes through pop-up arts events, and creating neighborhood art installations.

“We’re extremely grateful to work alongside Louisville Metro Government, Center for Neighborhoods, Louisville Public Media, and TARC to fuel this creative, vibrant community we love with arts and culture experiences,” said Christen Boone, President and CEO of Fund for the Arts. “Thanks to these unique partnerships and the NEA’s support, we’re able to provide access to the arts through innovative and creative means.”

The funding award is part of the NEA’s Our Town program, which funds projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities to strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes. The National Endowment for the Arts announced the awarding of 57 grants, totaling $4.1 million, as part of the program.

“These awards made to organizations across the United States are a testament to the artistic richness and diversity in our country,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Organizations such as Louisville Metro Government and Fund for the Arts are giving people in their community the opportunity to learn, create, and be inspired.”

“Love in the Street” public art installation

“Love in the Street” is a public art project that features 21 original poems with the theme of love and admiration for the city of Louisville that were etched into the sidewalk along South Fourth Street, between Chestnut Street and Broadway.

The streetscape project was proposed by local poet Lance Newman and commissioned by Louisville Metro Government and the Commission on Public Art. It has been in development since 2017.

“Love in the Street” features poets from neighborhoods city-wide, ranging in age from 3 to 80, and includes published writers as well as aspiring artists.

The following poets’ work is featured as part of “Love in the Street:”