Medium Cost Interventions
3. Community Art Projects
Residents, artists, and local organisations collaborating to create public artworks such as murals, sculptures, mosaics, and installations. Transforming neglected or vandalism-prone areas into vibrant, meaningful spaces, fostering a sense of ownership and price. Can be:
- Murals in graffiti hotspots
- Youth-led art initiatives
- Temporary art exhibitions in public spaces
- Sculptures in parks.
Aim to enhance community cohesion, reduce vandalism tolerance, increase informal surveillance and stewardship.
Artist fees & facilitation: £5,000-£15,000
Materials (paint, scaffolding, protective coatings): £3,000-£10,000
Community engagement & workshops: £2,000-£5,000
Permits/insurance/logistics: £2,000-£5,000
Total: £12,000-£35,000
Planning & site selection: 1-2 months
Community engagement & design: 1-2 months
Installation & unveiling: 1 month
Total: 3-5 months
Protective coatings & touch-ups: £500-£2,000
Graffiti removal (if needed): £500-£1,500
Community re-engagement events: £1,000-£3,000
Annual Maintenance Cost: £2,000-£6,500
Effectiveness
Strong evidence linking to vandalism deterrence, with SF Street SmARTS programme showing significant reductions in repeat vandalism and money saved from their £16m pa graffiti cleanup budget.
Areas with new murals see a graffiti decline of 40-50%. Creative placemaking projects also improve safety perceptions and reduce anti-social behaviour. Murals in high-crime areas correlate with reduced calls for service within 500 feet of installations.