CREATIVE SPACE ACTIVATION GRANT
The Creative Space Activation grant opportunity is an ongoing grant opportunity that was created by Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) in 2022. This grant is a means to support local Main Street organizations activate outdoor public spaces in their historic districts. Awardees of this grant receive $10,000 to put towards activating a space in their district to engage their community.
MMSC enables more communities across Missouri to create community vibrancy through activating outdoor spaces with placemaking initiatives for all ages. This is accomplished through the funds provided through this grant opportunity to complete a space activation project that synergizes with their incremental placemaking and streetscape initiatives. Research and studies from Main Street America and their partners as well as leading placemaking firms, show that places that offer spaces to build community connections and provide activities for all ages increase community pride, vibrancy, and increases sales.
Once a year Missouri Main Street Connection opens applications for the Creative Space Activation Grant.
2024 Creative Space Activation Grant
MMSC hosted a webinar on March 13th in preparation for the 2024 Creative Space Activation Grant. This webinar highlighted the two portions of the grant application and “pitch”. Watch the recording on our YouTube channel to gather the necessary information for crafting a winning application.
Submit Your Application!
MMSC is accepting applications for the 2024 Creative Space Activation Grant until June 24th. MMSC will only accept applications submitted through our Submittable form.
Past Grantees
Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc.
Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc. won the Creative Space Activation Grant at the 2023 Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference.
During the Liberty Fall Festival in 2023, Historic Downtown Liberty completed the first phase of their Mill Street project. This initial phase, a temporary test study closed one lane on Mill Street with an expanded greenspace and a new bicycle lane. These changes tested various ways the Mill Street could be transformed into a much safer, walkable, and greener street. This experiment utilized Main Street Design and Complete Streets Principles along with community input to gather public opinion on ways to connect the south side of Historic Downtown Liberty with the rest of the square.
Delmar Main Street
Delmar Main Street won the Creative Space Activation Grant at the 2022 Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference.
Delmar Man Street selected a group of seven individuals to create the Delmar Main Street Mural Exhibition. The installation is currently displayed at 5652 Delmar Blvd. where it is serving as a message that this community has hope for the future and cares about its buildings and people. The selected artists included January Kiefer, Andrea Hughes, Luisa Otero-Prada, Kelly Jeanise Brown, Brock Seals, Madeline Deiters, and Lisa Maire Thalhammer who each created a piece reflecting their own art styles and highlighting the rich diversity of this area of St. Louis, beauty of its people, and Delmar Main Street’s vision.
During their presentation at the 2023 Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference Lisa Potts and Erica Hagan highlighted the placement of the installation was to protect community assets against vandalism and promote the hope they have for Delmar Main Street being united and thriving again.
