Kay:  those studies are really hard to come by, because it's so difficult to isolate the impact of the mural from the impact of other initiatives that may be going on simultaneously in the community. You'd have to set up a very strict control situation in order for data to really mean something.

That said, there was a limited study done in Malaysia that seemed to indicate a decrease in crime in one area where murals appeared.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309891802_The_Effect_of_Mural_on_Personal_Crime_and_Fear_of_Crime

Here in Indianapolis there is a long-term, anthropological study going on to measure the impacts of a number of arts initiatives on the city, but it doesn't call out murals specifically.  Anecdotally, we at the Arts Council have found that new murals eliminate gang tagging if they are placed on walls that previously were magnets for it, but only for a while and only if the mural is meticulously maintained. As soon as people start to take the mural for granted, the tagging reappears. We have also seen a correlation between "cool" murals and increased economic activity, but it's hard to say whether it's causal or not, or which direction it runs, and it's a whole other issue who the economic activity includes and excludes. There is no study saying all this, just observation.

I have attached some literature that could be of use to you. I have tons more--feel free to contact me.

Julia Muney Moore

Director of Public Art

Arts Council of Indianapolis

jmoore@indyarts.org

924 N. Pennsylvania St.

Indianapolis, IN  46204

(317) 631-3301 x 240

(317) 332-8382 mobile

www.IndyArts.org

On Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 1:31 PM Kallos, Kay <kay.kallos@dallascityhall.com> wrote:

Are there public art mural programs that have measured the impact of murals on the communities where they are located?  Specifically any impact studies on lower crime, public safety, at-risk-youth engagement, support for community development or overall impact on quality of life?

 

 

Kay Kallos, Ph.D.   Public Art Program Manager   City of Dallas | DallasCityNews.net   Office of Cultural Affairs | DallasCulture.org   1925 Elm Street, Suite 400   Dallas, TX 75201   O:  214-670-3281 |    kay.kallos@dallascityhall.com

 

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