Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for 'Tulip City Walls Mural Festival 2025' in Holland

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC's Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. - The next year of the Tulip City Walls Mural Festival will bring 10 new public art installations and a multi-day celebration that fills the Eastcore neighborhood of Holland with bold murals, live music, food, artist talks, and thousands of inspired attendees. This project will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the nonprofit 3Sixty announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by August 18^th, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC's Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/tcw.

"Public art is a point of connection that has no barriers; regardless of language or cultural difference, people can observe and take in great artwork and feel a part of something," said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. "We are pleased to support and provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program."

The Tulip City Walls Mural Festival is a nationally recognized, award-winning event that brings neighbors together across cultures and backgrounds to celebrate public art and shared vision. What began in 2022 has grown into a recurring multi-day celebration centered around public art.

Public art is more than paint on a wall; it drives economic revitalization, neighborhood safety, and a shared identity. A study conducted by the LA County Arts Commission showed that for every $1 invested in public art there was $24 in economic return. Public art has been shown to increase safety, reduce crime, and increase neighborhood pride. The mural festival itself attracts tourism and foot traffic to local businesses. The festival activities create increased public engagement with the artwork and the focus on cultural representation for underrepresented communities creates belonging. The positive impacts of public art in economic and community development cannot be overstated.

"As a grassroots effort, Tulip City Walls transforms our Eastcore neighborhood through vibrant art, culture, and connection. Because this project is powered by the people, we believe our community will help us meet our $50,000 fundraising target to make this event happen," said Alexis Rosado, Tulip City Walls spokesperson. "This year, we're eligible for a matching grant from the MEDC's Public Spaces Community Places, but only if we hit our goal first, so we encourage everyone to invest in our community. Whether it's $10 or $10,000, every partner matters."

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

"The Tulip City Walls Mural Festival has brought a wonderful tradition to the people of Holland: a celebration of their city's rich culture and community spirit," said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. "By transforming public spaces with bold, beautiful art, this festival brings people together, inspires local pride, and enhances the city's identity for residents and visitors alike."

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of July 7, 2025, MEDC has provided more than $14.3 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 398 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $16.3 million raised from 75,903 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit https://www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at https://www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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