OUR IMPACT
90+
Murals Completed
100+
Artists & Teachers Trained
5,000+ people of all ages who painted murals for their community
5000+
$1,700,000+
Invested in public art and the creative economy
INSPIRING OUTDOOR ART GALLERIES
Our murals are concentrated in some of the most under-resourced neighborhoods in the state, where poverty rates are five times higher than the Massachusetts average. Guided by community input, the murals serve as lasting public statements that proclaim, reclaim or rewrite local narratives, explore diverse and creative views of the world, cultivate pride and intentional visions of the future, and build deeper community connections.
INVESTING LOCALLY
Since 2019, we have invested over $1.7 million in public art and the creative economy, with more than half of these funds directly supporting local artists and small businesses. Murals provide lasting economic benefits because they make people more likely to shop, dine, and promote their neighborhoods, strengthening businesses, attracting visitors, and enhancing civic pride. A 2019 impact study revealed that every $1 spent on our murals generates $4 in additional funding and economic activity.
BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PUBLIC ART
Thousands of people of all ages help design and paint our murals. This process builds relationships, strengthens the ties that bind people together, and connects people to their shared spaces and what happens in that space. By creating art together, communities experience the power of collaboration and the possibilities it unlocks.
EMPOWERING ARTISTS
We provide training in state-of-the-art mural techniques to dozens of artists and teachers, of whom 60% are BIPOC and 70% are women. An evaluation of our 2021 training showed that 60% of artists secured commissions or festival invitations, while 80% saw increased online engagement and visibility.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Hundreds of people—of all backgrounds—help paint murals in Springfield. The pride they feel is undeniable. What Common Wealth Murals is doing is unique, and its impact is profound.”
Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council
Measuring Common Wealth Murals’ Impact in Springfield
Two independent evaluations of Common Wealth Murals conducted by Broadsight highlight our impact on the economic and cultural revitalization of Springfield, MA. The 2019 report focused on the economic growth and community pride fostered by pour murals. The 2021 evaluation centers on the Community Mural Apprenticeship Program which empowered local artists to independently create community-engaged murals, enhancing local cultural identity and community connections.
Download the full reports:
Fresh Paint Springfield 2019: Public Art and Economy in the Renaissance of a Massachusetts City
Making History in Springfield: Community Engaged Murals at Fresh Paint Springfield 2021