Austin’s downtown library garage gets colorful makeover while creating opportunities for homeless

A new project is beautifying the Central Library parking garage while also providing work to people experiencing housing insecurity.

AUSTIN, Texas — A new project is beautifying Austin’s Central Library parking garage while providing paid work opportunities for people experiencing housing insecurity.

On Sunday, artists and assistants were painting four of the 43 murals planned for the garage as part of the city’s Art for All project.

The project is a partnership between the city of Austin and arts nonprofit Raasin in the Sun. Austin City Council set aside $1 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 for projects focused on arts and/or homelessness. The Art for All program was later created using that funding. The program is modeled after a similar effort in Philadelphia.

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Since July, local artists have been working alongside paid assistants during the library’s off hours. The assistants are people experiencing housing insecurity, and they are paid the same day for their work.

The assistants help with tasks such as cleaning the garage walls, prepping surfaces and priming them before the artwork is painted.

Laura Odegaard, division manager of Cultural Affairs and Investments with Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, said city staff hope to connect participants with wraparound services and other opportunities through the city and its arts programs.

“Art is a viable career and one that, especially in Austin, has a huge economic impact,” said Odegaard.

Raasin in the Sun Program Director Tiffany Kowalski said the program has also created connections between participants and the professional artists they work alongside.

Some artists have told the organization they want particular participants to return for future projects.

“It’s going both ways,” Kowalski said, adding that participants and artists are building something together through the process.

For one participant, the experience has already inspired a potential career path.

Kowalski said one participant told her, “I just want to do this for the rest of my life.”

“He wants to be able to get into the arts and be a muralist,” she said. “And that in and of itself … it gives me chills just thinking about it.”

The Art for All project also coincides with the Austin Public Library’s 100th anniversary.

All 43 murals are expected to be completed by November.

The city also offers other opportunities for artists and people interested in getting involved with its arts programs. For more information, click here.