Groundswell Community Mural Project

Groundswell Community Mural Project is a Brooklyn-based, 501(c)(3) founded in 1996. Groundswell brings together professional artists, grassroots organizations and communities in partnership to create high quality murals in under-represented neighborhoods. Our work inspires youth, communities and artists to take active ownership of their future and equips them with the tools necessary for social change. We work city wide with a special focus on Brooklyn. Groundswell teaches individuals, grassroots organizations and artists in underserved neighborhoods to use murals to increase civic participation and empower people to speak for themselves in a large-scale venue. Groundswell's murals engage hard-to-reach young people; teach art skills along with communication, collaboration and leadership; bridge cultural, ethnic, class and generational divides; increase civic participation and activism; give local artists an opportunity to participate in community service; and create inspirational and beautiful neighborhood monuments. For ten years, Groundswell has served young people and communities who testify to the power and lasting impact of our mural projects. Using our innovative model, we have worked with over 900 community members including low-income teens, undocumented immigrants, people living with AIDS and multiracial neighborhood associations to complete more than 50 collaboratively designed and painted murals in their neighborhoods. Groundswell not only designs programs, we teach people how to organize service projects themselves. This profile courtesy of Arts & Democracy.