News
Smiley Movement: Asphalt Art is painting streets to keep communities safe
Art and safety go hand in hand with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art initiative – and it’s so simple, that you’ll wonder why more people aren’t doing it. In celebration of National Philanthropy Day, we sat down with Bloomberg Philanthropies to hear more.
World Cities Culture Forum: How World Cities Are Making Streets Safer with Asphalt Art
A city’s streets and public spaces define its character and vibrancy, but too many urban streets are designed to prioritize cars over people. From Helsinki to Chicago, World Cities Culture Forum partner cities are bringing life back to their streets through a creative practice called asphalt art.
Zag Daily: Bloomberg Philanthropies offers $100,000 grants for art-driven street redesigns
Bloomberg Philanthropies is quadrupling its Asphalt Art Initiative grants. “Incorporating art into street safety improvements affirms that city streets are used not only by drivers, but by pedestrians and cyclists too, and should be designed to accommodate all users safely.”
Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. cities can apply for Asphalt Art grants of up to $100,000 each
Cities with a minimum population of 50,000 in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. are invited to apply by January 31, 2025. Up to ten winning cities will be announced in Spring 2025, with selected projects planned for installation in 2025 and 2026.
Designboom: Vibrant cactus motifs decorate ciudad Juárez’s historic center reclaiming public space
Desert Paths or Sendas del Desierto in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, redefines urban space through the use of vibrant art and tactical urbanism. Developed as part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative, the intervention transforms neglected streets into walkable and engaging environments.
WhiteMAD: Gdynia Is Showing How to Arrange School Streets. The First Has Been Opened
School streets can entertain, educate and stimulate creativity. The area in front of School Complex No. 6 in Gdynia was redesigned in this spirit. The city’s first ‘school street’ was opened there, along with a mural designed to draw the attention of drivers and have a positive impact on safety.
Urbanistica Podcast: Cities for People – Bloomberg’s Asphalt Art Initiative
We are talking about Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative. It responds to the growing number of cities around the world embracing art as an effective and low-cost strategy to improve street safety and create vibrant public spaces.
Pop Up City: Asphalt Art, Painting a Better Urban Future
The Asphalt Art Initiative is reimagining our streets. By blending art, safety, and community engagement, this initiative is turning dull roads into vibrant public spaces.
WTMJ: Milwaukee residents applaud new traffic calming projects in high injury areas
A right-hand turn lane at the intersection of 27th and Highland is now blocked off and a street mural fills the space. “It’s a beautification as well as a deterrent towards speeding,” remarked Anna Lampkins, who has lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years and is tired of dangerous drivers.
An Albanian City Creatively Reclaims Streets for Kids
Students in the bustling capital of Albania are experiencing the benefits of asphalt art. “School Block” is a project of our Asphalt Art Initiative, which helps cities use art and community engagement to improve street safety and revitalize public space.