Final Grant Proposal

Statement of Need

In February 2010 unemployment in Cincinnati peaked at 113,344 people. This has brought upon a lot of stress in the area. People are worried about finding new jobs, stuck working at places they do not enjoy, and struggling to make enough money to support themselves or a family.  This would bring on the feeling of being trapped in your environment and leave them searching for hope. 

John Davis who is a PhD states that, “A variety of studies over many years have shown faster recovery from stress in response to nature stimuli than built settings.”  Nature has a therapeutic value that could help relieve the stress people in Cincinnati are experiencing.

Program Description

As an artist I create abstract expressionistic works.  My Idea is to create a series of Nature sculptures in Eden Park.  They will depict the feeling of being trapped, with forms breaking through and inspiring hope.  My sculptures would be relatable to the large amount of people in Cincinnati who are stressed due to financial decline.  This would get them away from the city, and get a taste for the relaxing benefits of nature.  I believe people forget how wonderful nature can be, and it is something free that anyone can enjoy.  My artworks will hopefully remind people of this, and the beauty nature has in store. 

The artworks will be created composed of mostly natural materials.  This will be done to drive the connection to nature even further.  Other than the fact that nature can have a therapeutic value, nature is something that is extremely powerful.  So this correlates with the idea of people using their inner power to break through tough times. 

Project Abstract

Overall, there is a large amount of the community in Cincinnati who is struggling with unemployment.  For people who are having trouble with finding work, and having trouble supporting themselves or their family financially, I want to create works of Art that inspire.  In today’s society people are obsessed with material things.  People need to be reminded that there is more to life than technology.  Nature is not only beautiful and powerful, it also has therapeutic value.  So I want to get these people out in a natural environment. 

I plan on doing this be creating three nature sculptures that reside in Eden Park temporarily.  This will give people the chance to see the beauty of nature and then witness the power of my pieces.  I want my work to give them hope and inspiration to get through what ever is stressing them out.  Funding for these works will cost $300 for materials and work.  Viewers will be asked of their opinions of the pieces.