Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers Seeking South Side Artist(s) for Mural on National Ave Clinic

Milwaukee, Wis. (January 7, 2020) – Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers is seeking creative proposals for a mural on the front side of their soon-to-open National Ave clinic located at 1635 W. National Avenue. Selected artist(s) will be commissioned for installation late spring/early summer.

All artists interested in participating must complete and adhere to the guidelines in the Request for Proposal (RFP) which is available online. Preference will be given to artists with a proven ability to execute high-quality murals in the public realm who meet project objectives that embody the Sixteenth Street and National Avenue Corridor spirit, and who are from, reside in, or have a strong connection to the South Side of Milwaukee.

“When we open a new clinic, we believe it’s important to engage with residents on how we can best contribute to the desired growth and aesthetic of the community,” said Dr. Julie Schuller, President and CEO of Sixteenth Street. “Through this mural, we hope to create an environment that’s welcoming and inclusive for patients, while celebrating the vibrancy and multi-cultural identity of the community as desired by residents.”

The inception and direction of the mural was informed by the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative (CSNI) and the Co:Lab 2020-Clark Square’s InterNATIONAL Avenue project.

“InterNATIONAL Avenue project is a way to celebrate Clarke Square neighborhood’s vibrant cultural heritage, while connecting and empowering local community members through a variety of art projects along National Avenue,” explains Dr. Patricia Najera, Executive Director of CSNI. “The mural will create an opportunity for local artists to use their ingenuity and creativity to bring attention to issues of health, equity, community, diversity, and healthy practices, and to promote self-care and accessibility to mental health care services. We are excited that Sixteenth Street is contributing to this vision and helping catalyze community identity through art and believe this new clinic will be another catalyst for economic development in the community.”

The new Sixteenth Street National Ave Clinic will deliver behavioral health services in collaboration with the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division (BHD). With a focus on prevention, early intervention, and same-day access, the clinic will offer community-based behavioral health and substance use services across the care continuum, increasing access for adults on the south side of Milwaukee. This clinic is made possible by a $3.7 million donation from the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network.

 

About Sixteenth Street

For over 50 years, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers has been providing quality, family-based health care services free from linguistic, cultural, and economic barriers. More than 43,000 people rely on Sixteenth Street for adult and pediatric medical services, behavioral health counseling and treatment, substance abuse treatment, chronic disease management, supportive social services, health education, and community empowerment. Sixteenth Street is recognized by The Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as being in the top 10% of health centers nationwide for its quality of care, is the only Community Health Center in Wisconsin accredited by The Joint Commission for high quality standards, and is as a Primary Care Medical Home.  Learn more at www.sschc.org.

 

About Clark Square Neighborhood Initiative

The mission of Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative is to create a strong neighborhood by promoting economic development, stabilizing housing, elevating arts and culture, and creating community building engagement opportunities. Learn more at Clark Square Neighborhood Initiative.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.