Long Beach releases online survey for future public murals

Residents are invited to give their input on what themes and locations they would like to see in Long Beach’s future murals through an online survey open until Feb. 2. 

Long Beach’s Public Mural Program, an entity of the Creative Economy Grants Program, has $135,000 in available funds for artists to create new murals on public facilities citywide. The survey asks residents for location ideas for murals as well as potential themes such as culture, health and wellness, entertainment, Long Beach history and more. 

The Creative Economy Grants Program was launched by Long Beach and the Arts Council for Long Beach (ArtsLB). The program is now run by ArtsLB to fund local arts, culture and history nonprofits as well as professional artists to be utilized for public murals, community projects and professional artist fellowships. 

Residents are given nine options for mural locations: 

• Future site of Senior Center (125 Elm Ave.)
• Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.)
• Recreation Park (4900 E Seventh St.)
• Central Health Building (1133 Rhea St.)
• Heartwell Park (5801 E Parkcrest St.) 
• McBride High School Gymnasium (7025 Parkcrest St.)
• Multi-Service Center (1301 W 12th St.)
• Davenport Park (2910 E 55th Way)
• Ramona Park (3301 E 65th St.)

The survey is available online in Spanish, English, Khmer and Tagalog. Questions include: 

• What is your connection to the project site? 
• What district do you reside in?
• Prior to the installation of the mural, what are your sentiments upon visiting this site?
• What theme would you like to see?
• Would you like to be considered to be on the artist selection panel?

The Creative Economy Grants Program is funded by the Long Beach Recovery Act, federal funds meant to fund economic and public health initiatives for residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To receive assistance taking the survey, residents can contact ArtsLB at (562) 435-2787 or email grants@artslb.org. Technical assistance workshops will also be provided for the Creative Economy Grants, with interpreters available in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog.

Residents can take the survey online on the ArtsLB website.