In June, Dodge City was chosen as one of 260 grantees for the 2022 Community Challenge Grant from AARP Livable Communities and AARP Kansas. This grant aims to create more livable communities through public art. Beginning September 23, the Dodge City Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) will begin hosting a series of round tables to solicit community input regarding the subjects of these murals.
The grant, written by the PAAC, will be used to decorate bare walls in the historic downtown district with vinyl wall graphics (murals) that celebrate the community’s rich history and the cultural diversity that makes Dodge City great. These murals will be new attractions that will draw community members and visitors alike to the district and create opportunities for local businesses.
“The downtown district is already a gathering space for festivals and events” said Dodge City Convention and Visitor Bureau Marketing Coordinator and PAAC City Representative, Justin Wilson. “We want to build upon the strength of these community projects and give residents more reasons to explore this area.”
The initial round table will be held at the Dodge City Senior Center, 2408 Central Ave., on Friday, Sept. 23, at 9:30 a.m. The next round table will be during Final Friday on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. This round table will be a partnership with Building Solutions at their downtown office at 100 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd., where attendees can learn about the Streetscape Project and share their input regarding the mural project. Future round tables will be announced soon.
This project is funded in part by a grant from the AARP. The AARP Community Challenge is a grant program to make tangible improvements in communities that jump-start long-term change. It is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. To learn more, visit aarp.org/Livable.