Through the charitable funding of State Farm, our community partner, Imagine MKE has been able to fund three art projects in the Layton Boulevard, Metcalfe Park, and Muskego Way neighborhoods that address traffic-calming strategies through public art. Imagine MKE is intentional about connecting their goals to their partner goals. When it comes to partnering with different communities, Antoine Carter, Director of Neighborhood Partnerships, says it’s important to view residents as the leaders and to “listen to the goal of others and figure out where their puzzle piece fits”. One of the most effective ways to tackle the issues residents identified as a priority, such as traffic safety, is through art. Funding allowed partners that normally don’t incorporate art into their strategies, become reacquainted with the power of the arts.
In the Metcalfe Park neighborhood, this financial support became a catalyst for all summer activities. Initially, this started with installing the banners on light poles but eventually, residents were able to build and create a schedule of events throughout the summer, and they’ve transformed multiple spaces into areas that address traffic safety through art. Metcalfe Park Community Bridges and residents are now installing murals, crosswalk art and banners throughout the neighborhood. This neighborhood is timely since one of the neighborhood’s initial goals was to establish more culturally relevant art.
The artistic endeavors in Metcalfe Park were transformative for both the neighborhoods and the residents. When reflecting on the creation of the banners to be installed at strategic intersections, staff from Metcalfe Park shared “The people that did the interviews, they loved the process. It built self confidence in everyone”. Antoine Carter, Director of Neighborhood Partnerships shared, “We didn’t expect this campaign to build confidence throughout the process. The art project was a ripple impact of increasing traffic safety. Not only will this campaign address traffic safety, but it is an opportunity to dispel the narrative written about those who live in Metcalfe Park neighborhood. They define the story of their neighborhood, not the data”. What started as a strategy to address reckless driving, has truly evolved into a community-wide effort to redefine the way we see Milwaukee’s communities and more importantly, Milwaukee’s residents.