Creating a Public Art Destination

After urban sprawl and other contributing factors left Downtown Bloomington with more pigeons and potholes than people, local artists began to occupy the aging, but architecturally significant buildings, bringing life back to the area.

In the years since, the local arts community has continued to flourish in Downtown Bloomington. With more than 20 art galleries and artists' studios, and roughly 20 public art installations, Downtown Bloomington has become an arts destination.

In this session, local leaders and artists Joann Goetzinger, Karen Schmidt, Martha Burk, and Tricia Stiller will discuss what it took to coordinate, create, and fund public art in Downtown Bloomington; reviewing the past, present, and future of public art in our community. Speakers: Joann Goetzinger, Karen Schmidt, Martha Burk, and Tricia Stiller Moderator: Micaela Harris.

Powered by community, dedicated professionals, volunteers, and civic leaders, historic Main Street districts and neighborhood commercial corridors are at the heart of, and essential to, thriving communities. The 2022 Illinois Main Street Conference brings together leaders, advocates, and cheerleaders to learn from each other and industry experts on how to grow and sustain downtown districts as centers of economic and social opportunity.