MidxMidwst launches Kickstarter campaign

Last edited 1:30 p.m., March 16, 2021

The MidxMidwst Arts & Culture Initiative this morning launched a Kickstarter campaign for the mural art and culture festival planned this fall.

The initiative organized by artist Meg Wagler raised more than 12% of its goal by early this afternoon. The crowdfunding campaign brought in $1,254 from 16 backers toward its $10,000 goal. It ends April 15.

The "all or nothing" Kickstarter campaign only will be funded if it hits the goal. Donors can receive various levels of passes to the festival, as well as swag.

The Kickstarter page explains why the group is crowdfunding: “We won't ask artists for free work. We don't believe that exposure alone pays the bills but we do believe that a strong art economy is a diverse, sustainable one. Every dollar matters and works toward our mission to shift the trope from starving artists to thriving artists.”

Wagler and other MidxMidwst officials had targeted 2020 for the nonprofit’s inaugural festival in downtown Springfield. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.

“Essentially, this is our year one, try two," Wagler told Springfield Business Journal for a March 1 article. "I’m kind of viewing it as 2020 didn’t happen."

Scheduled Sept. 11-12, the event is slated to feature live mural painting and music.

Wagler previously estimated the inaugural event will cost around $100,000. Most of the festival activity is targeted in the Robberson Avenue alley area downtown, near Park Central East.