The foundation of billionaire philanthropist and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is giving the city of Anchorage a $1 million grant for a project to transform an empty downtown building into a workspace for artists and designers.
Bloomberg, who announced the award at the Anchorage Museum on Wednesday with Anchorage mayor Ethan Berkowitz, said the project is designed to encourage the creation of public art. That’s something he said helps cities attract and retain business and create more enjoyable places to live.
“We have a saying at Bloomberg Philanthropies that culture brings capital faster than capital brings culture,” Bloomberg said.
Anchorage Museum director Julie Decker said the empty building, at 6th Avenue and A Street, will be known as SEED Lab (Solutions for Energy and Equity through Design), a meeting place for artists, designers, engineers and community members.
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