TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) \u2014 The Knight Creative Communities Institute received preliminary approval of its $30,000 grant request for a large-scale mural at SOMO Walls, but it\u2019s awaiting one final approval from the CRA Board.<\/p>\n
The Knight Creative Communities Institute has initial approval for a $30,000 grant to pay local artists to paint eight shipping containers, creating a 2,700 square-foot public art space at SOMO Walls.The Community Redevelopment Agency Board rescheduled its meeting for Jan. 28<\/a> at 9 a.m., but it\u2019s unclear if the grant will be on the agenda for that meeting.Watch the video below to learn what steps KCCI will take if they get approval.<\/p>\n Tallahassee KCCI discusses next steps following approval of $30K grant for large-scale mural project<\/p>\n BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:<\/p>\n The Knight Creative Communities Institute<\/a>\u00a0is trying to bring more art like this into the community but on a much larger scale here on these shipping containers.<\/p>\n I\u2019m Brieanna Smith in the Downtown Tallahassee neighborhood.<\/p>\n Now, after a $30,000 dollar grant received approval this week, they\u2019re one step closer to executing their plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s not official yet, but the Knight Creative Communities Institute\u2019s\u00a0dream of a large-scale mural is closer to fruition.<\/p>\n We were there on Monday as the Greater Frenchtown-Southside Citizen\u2019s Advisory Committee approved the KCCI\u2019s request for $30,000.<\/p>\n That money could pay local artists to paint these eight shipping containers and create a 2,700 square-foot public art space.\u00a0<\/p>\n The approval did not come without controversy<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has already received from the CRA $1.5 million,\u201d a neighbor said at the meeting Monday.<\/p>\n Neighbors questioned whether the grant was the best use for public dollars.<\/p>\n Others called for more community input into the designs and planning.<\/p>\n But Monday was just the initial approval.<\/p>\n The Community Redevelopment Agency still needs to approve the money.<\/p>\n KCCI Executive Director Betsy Couch says that decision could come down as soon as February during the next CRA board meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf that approval is given at that meeting, that’s when KCCI would start community engagement processes, issue a call for artists, and start the timeline for completion of this project,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Couch believes that the installation will benefit the local economy and increase visibility, and for this new project, the landowner of SOMO Walls<\/a> plans to match the $30,000 grant.\u00a0<\/p>\n Couch says they say if they get approval from the CRA board, the murals could be completed within six to eight months.\u00a0<\/p>\n In Downtown Tallahassee, Brieanna Smith, ABC 27<\/p>\n Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website. <\/a><\/p>\n Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n Like us on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us on Instagram <\/a>and X.<\/a><\/p>\n