Charlotte Urban Design Center Announces 2026 Placemaking Grants

Published on June 18, 2026

Adults and children color a playground with chalk

The City of Charlotte has chosen the recipients for this year’s Placemaking Grant program. In partnership with the Corridors of Opportunity program, the Office of Sustainability and Resilience, and the Vision Zero program, the city awarded a total of $175,000 to support community-led projects. The city remains dedicated to placemaking and collaborating with residents and local artists to cultivate a livelier Queen City. 

The Placemaking Grant program started in 2018 and is managed by the City of Charlotte’s Urban Design Center (UDC). The grant program offers financial aid and practical guidance for initiatives that foster community gathering, safety and character.  

Ten projects, three programming schedules and two Technical Assistance Grants will receive funding this year. These projects focus on: 

  • Activating vacant or underused areas 
  • Improving streetscapes 
  • Enhancing public spaces through art and beautification 
  • Developing community gathering and sharing spots 

Winning Projects:

Bike Repair Hub 

  • Award: $5,000 
  • Project Type: Technical Assistance 
  • Organization: Marcus Locke - Lockebox 
  • Neighborhood: Washington Heights 

Belmont Grows 

  • Award: $12,000 
  • Project Type: Crosswalk Murals 
  • Organization: Freshlist LLC 
  • Neighborhood: Belmont  

Feed the Routes  

  • Award: $5,000 
  • Project Type: Technical Assistance 
  • Applicant: Sabrina Humbert 
  • Neighborhood: Historic West End 

Domino Bus 

  • Award: $5,000 
  • Project Type: Mobile Programming and Placemaking 
  • Organization: QC Family Tree 
  • Neighborhood: Enderly Park 

Historic Camp Greene Art Walk 

  • Award: $24,980 
  • Project Type: Crosswalk Murals 
  • Organization: Historic Camp Greene Neighborhood Association 
  • Neighborhood: Historic Camp Greene 

Events at The Green at Prosperity Village 

  • Award: $10,500 
  • Project Type: Programming and Events 
  • Organization: Prosperity Village Area Association 
  • Neighborhood: Prosperity Village 

Safe Routes to Safe Places 

  • Award: $9,400 
  • Project Type: Crosswalk Murals 
  • Organization: Lex Poolos Design 
  • Neighborhood: NoDa and Plaza Midwood 

Sensory Art and Meditation Garden 

  • Award: $25,000 
  • Project Type: Public Art 
  • Organization: Lion Services  
  • Neighborhood: Eastway 

Shared Tables, Stronger Community 

  • Award: $15,605 
  • Project Type: Programming and Events 
  • Organization: Five Points Community Collaborative 
  • Neighborhood: Biddleville-Smallwood, Seversville and Wesley Heights 

Art Search 

  • Award: $3,815 
  • Project Type: Public Art 
  • Organization: Charlotte is Creative 
  • Neighborhood: Historic West End, Greenville, Washington Heights and Prosperity Village 

Selwyn Village Mural Gateway 

  • Award: $7,500 
  • Project Type: Wall Mural 
  • Organization: Selwyn Homeowners Association 
  • Neighborhood: Selwyn Village 

Activation Programming of Ritz Park 

  • Award: $7,000 
  • Project Type: Programming and Events 
  • Organization: Concerned Citizens of Washington Heights 
  • Neighborhood: Washington Heights 

Pierson and Independence Community Mural Phase 2 

  • Award: $25,000 
  • Project Type: Wall Mural 
  • Organization: ArtPop
  • Neighborhood: Amity Gardens and Eastway Sheffield 

Shamrock Learning Garden 

  • Award: $4,200 
  • Project Type: Public Art 
  • Organization: Shamrock Gardens Elementary PTA 
  • Neighborhood: Shamrock Gardens Elementary School 

The Dance 

  • Award: $15,000 
  • Project Type: Wall Mural 
  • Organization: ArtBeyond 
  • Neighborhood: LoSo 
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