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People's Liberty announces smaller grant winners

Bill Rinehart
/
WVXU

Friday is signing day at People's Liberty for project grant winners.  Eight recipients of the $10,000 grants will be introduced as they present their ideas for making the region a better place to live.

The newly established philanthropic organization People's Liberty announced its first two grants Last December.  Those were each worth $100,000.  Friday, People's Liberty is handing out eight smaller grants.  The $10,000 prizes are designed for smaller projects coming from individuals, according to vice president Jake Hodesh. 

“There is no other place to go right now in the city of Cincinnati if you are an individual, not an organization, but an individual looking to go and launch a project in that way,” he says.  “That is the secret sauce of People’s Liberty.”

Hodesh says jurors were looking for creative and dynamic proposals.  “Are you going to solve a critical issue that plagues the city of Cincinnati with $10,000?  No.  But, can you launch a small solution that could lead to a greater project, or that could be kind of the beta test for a bigger, more magnified solution?  Yes.”

Program director Aurore Fournier says applicants were told to think big. “These eight people were specifically chosen because they had good ideas, great ideas, and that’s when in order to make it feasible with that $10,000, we’ll come into the picture to make sure they get everything focused.”

Fournier says recipients have ten months to make their visions a reality.

The eight winners submitted projects related to technology, transportation, art, history, and architecture. 

This year's winners are:

Giacomo Ciminello Spaced Invaders This outdoor, interactive installation will feature a projection mapped video game designed to activate Cincinnati’s abandoned spaces. Anne Delano Steinert Look Here! This site specific public history exhibition will take place on the streets of Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine neighborhood. Quiera Levy Smith Black Dance Is Beautiful This cultural event is designed to showcase diversity in Cincinnati dance, as well as encourage youth to pursue their passions and break down barriers. Alyssa McClanahan (and John Blatchford) – Kunst: Built Art This quarterly, printed magazine will feature ongoing and future redevelopment projects of historic buildings in Cincinnati. Mark Mussman Creative App Project (CAP) This project will certify up to twenty Cincinnati residents from a broad range of backgrounds during a three month Android App Developers educational series. Daniel Schleith (and Nate Wessel & Brad Thomas) Metro*Now This project will provide lowcost, realtime arrival signs for the Metro bus system, ensuring all Cincinnatians access to realtime transit information. Nancy Sunnenburg Welcome to Cincinnati This new tool is designed to effectively welcome newcomers to a community by connecting them with local organizations, businesses and civic opportunities.

Applications for the next round of grants, the Globe grants worth $15,000, will open in June.