City of Colors

About the practice

The Vigo City Council, specifically the Historical Heritage Service, is working on an innovative project called the Vigo Project, City of Color. This project has a bold vision to turn ugliness into art and create a more vibrant and aesthetically appealing city. It involves managing a range of cultural activities and performances that complement this transformation. Citizen participation is at the core of this project, making it a collective effort to bring about positive aesthetic changes throughout the city.

History

In the 1960s and 1970s, the city of Vigo, like many other cities in Europe, received a flood of new residents. This was reflected in the city's architectural development. The rapid and disorderly growth that resulted in many empty spaces and huge walls in the buildings. Thus, it was decided to combine the beautification of the city with the promotion of art, and thus "Vigo: City of Color" was born. It is now a major international reference (8 years).

About the institution

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Vigo is a contemporary art museum inaugurated on November 13, 2002 in the city of Vigo, Galicia, Spain. The museum occupies a panoptic building, restored in 1995, located in the heart of the city, which was previously used as the Palace of Justice and a prison.

Context

Vigo - City of Colour is a public art festival that has been developing and transforming the city of Vigo since 2015. It currently features presentations by young and established artists, primarily local, but opening each year to international collaborations. The maxim of the event is to transform the city into a museum of different artistic registers in the open air. It is a revolutionary project aimed at eradicating ugliness and turning it into art, managing complementary cultural activities and performances, transforming civic participation into a pillar of aesthetic change in the city.

"It's such a plural and diverse program that generates various interpersonal relationships, and since the program is made up of many other projects, the number of people reached by this initiative is greatly expanded."

Success factors

The institution is very proud of the project's continued growth since its inception and how more and more sectors of society are getting involved. In addition to being a reference and internationally recognized project.

Target audience

The project is aimed at citizens, but in addition, since each year the project is renewed by the emergence of new ideas, there is a special training program for children as part of "Vigo, City of Color."

Sustainability

The project is designed to be socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. Sustainable materials are used in its implementation. It is a project created by and for the public, promoting democratic values and taking place in public spaces. Economically, it attracts a significant number of tourists, contributing to the city's vitality and development. However, its value extends beyond economic gains; the transformation it brings to the city is invaluable. The project aims to make the city a global reference point, and the benefits gained from this transformation far exceed the economic costs invested.

Digital tools

Here are the digital and technological tools they used:

• Website:a technology map featuring the murals and dividing walls with a brief description;
• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Video editing programs, Vigo City Hall's app, where information with routes and video-mapping technology was dropped.

Funding

Funding is provided through the Ministry's budget. They started with more than 150,000 euros, and now have 500,000 euros. From 15-20 partition walls are being humanized, workshops are being held, mural battles, complementary training activities, various art activities, etc. In addition to the investment in the preparation of the space, the artists and those involved in the development of the project are paid a fair wage.

Plans

The practice is remarkable for its originality and uniqueness. Unlike typical painting projects, it is a transformative and multidisciplinary endeavor that runs throughout the year. It goes beyond simply painting walls; it is a comprehensive cultural initiative.

The project is cross-cutting, involving various departments and fostering new connections and synergies. Collaboration extends to departments like urban planning, culture, roads, and works, enhancing the project's impact and reach.

Organization/institution
Vigo City Council, Department of Heritage
Link to practice
https://ciudaddecolor.vigo.org/
Address
Vigo, Galicia (Spain)
Contact person for the good practice
Carmela Silva Rego, first deputy mayor of the Vigo City Council; councilor for historical heritage of the Pontevedra Provincial Council. Responsible for the project "Vigo: City of Color."
Contact person at Vigo City Council
Marta Riobo, marta.riobo@vigo.org