Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for “Murals on Main 2025: Young at Art” in Rogers City

$25,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

 

LANSING, Mich. – The City of Rogers City and the Murals on Main Volunteer Committee are working together to bring another year of festivities and seven new murals to activate vacant walls in downtown Rogers City. This effort will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Rogers City announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.  
 
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by July 4th, 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/MoM25. 
 
“The Murals on Main Festival instills local pride and a sense of community in Rogers City through the vibrant artwork and connective activities surrounding the festival,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this next effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.” 
 
Rogers City is furthering its efforts to create a warm and inspiring place to live, work, play, and explore. Staring at a colorful sunrise instead of an empty wall energizes your day. The funding from this campaign will support paying the seven national, international, and local artists to complete seven new murals downtown, and provide music, food, and events during the week-long festival. The Murals on Main Festival brings the community together and leaves behind art we will enjoy for years to come. 
 
 

"In a small town, everything is personal, every name, every face, every street, every wall and they all hold a very strong bond of belonging to one another. Murals give voice to those quiet belongings to tell their stories, honor their roots, and inspire their hopes for what is ahead,” said Shweta Lahudkar Singh, business owner of the Pure of Heart Emporium and building owner in Downtown Rogers City. “When we support Murals with matching funds, every dollar becomes a catalyst for spreading that faith in a community's voice, turning any individual effort, pride and resilience into a collective masterpiece.” 
 
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which local 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 Michigan Municipal League is a firm supporter of placemaking projects happening around our state, especially when it comes to public art,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the League. “These murals will enrich Rogers City and improve the human experience of all who see them. This is what placemaking is all about.” 
 
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 May 22, 2025, MEDC has provided more than $14 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 411 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $16.1 million raised from 75,107 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 www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.