In brief: BID looking to add more art to downtown

The Montclair Center BID has received a Transformation Grant from the Main Street New Jersey Program and will use the $25,000 grant award to infuse downtown Montclair with visual art, through the commission and installation of several murals within the district.

A public discussion will be held Thursday, Aug. 15 from 6-8 pm at the Montclair Public Library at 50 South Fullerton Avenue to discuss the BID’s ArtsConnect mural project and welcome comments from the community. Additionally, the BID will issue a request for mural proposals on Aug. 15.  Details of the RFP, including requirements, available funding and specifications, will be available at the community meeting and through a link on montclaircenter.com.  The deadline for proposals will be Monday, Sept 16.

With the grant award, the Montclair Center BID will work to bring more art downtown with several commissioned murals located throughout the district. In the request for proposals, artists will be invited to submit works that reflect the theme, “Love Montclair,” and the rich traditions and dynamic qualities of the community.

The grant funding is part of a larger effort by the Murphy Administration and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which administers MSNJ, to commit more resources to community revitalization programs that focus on small businesses and neighborhood improvement projects.