Best of Cleveland 2016: Artistic Democracy

The Ballot Box Project is one election that we can endorse.

by Kelly Petryszyn | Oct. 31, 2016 | 1:00 PM

People marched, handed out buttons and held banners — campaigning in the name of art. When Collinwood residents called for more involvement in public art projects, Northeast Shores Development Corp. launched the Ballot Box Project, Ohio’s first participatory-funding experience. More than 500 residents decided how $120,000 of a $200,000 ArtPlace America grant would be divided among four projects that took place this summer and fall. “Oftentimes the residents don’t get their voices heard,” says project manager Julia DiBaggio. “This was really empowering for them.”
ballotboxproject.org