LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Not long ago, the businesses in the Arts District in downtown Las Vegas were covered with plain pieces of plywood. It was a way for business owners to protect their property.
Derek Stonebarger is owner of Rebar and Davey’s and a member of the Arts District Board. He paid artists $50 to $100 to paint murals on the boarded-up windows. The idea was to inspire hope in a sad time.
“We’re kind of tentatively calling it the Main Street Boardwalk,” Stonebarger added.
The City of Las Vegas caught on and will now reimburse select businesses who secure their building and make it beautiful. Eligible properties can earn up to $2,000.
The grant gives a needed boost to the boarded-up businesses and the artists who’ve had to shut down their studios.
“The artists were just coming to create. They would have done it for free, all of us would have done it for free,” said Claire Tara Cuda, an artist painting for Sin City Yoga. “Because of that initial wave of artists that came in and set up the opportunity for the city to create a grant program, now us artists have the opportunity to be paid.”
Grants are available to businesses in select tax districts and projects must be completed two weeks after applications are approved.
You can find the details on how to apply for the Business Protection Program grant here.
