Billings, MT
Connecting neighborhoods with street murals
The Project
The North Park Art Connection is a series of street murals that link the historic, mixed-income North Park neighborhoods with the actively changing commercial district in the city’s core, the Billings Industrial Revitalization District. Master plans of both neighborhoods identified measures needed to increase walkability, connectivity to employment, and the revitalization of decrepit infrastructure. Through an open call process, three local artists were selected to design complementary murals – including two full-street murals, and two series of curb extensions – at four sites surrounding the park, at connection points to the downtown area. North Park is a community center that hosts a variety of community events and the enhancements to the environment aim to support growth of existing events and attract new users to the park. New programming has been proposed by local groups for the spaces, including expanding Billings’ growing Pickle Ball Association into North Park and launching an outdoor Art Market in the Summer of 2023.
“As with all industries and organizations today, money is tight. So, providing low-cost traffic calming measures in our community is a welcome addition to our tool belt in creating safe environments for people through public works.”
Debi Mehling, Public Works Director, City of Billings
Use the slider to see the transformation
Press
Billings one of 26 cities selected for Asphalt Art Project (KTVQ, July 20, 2022)
Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative Coming to North Park in Billings (KULR, July 19, 2022)
Billings approved for asphalt art project (Your Big Sky, July 18, 2022)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
