Since 2015, Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) has worked with over 50 artists and invested upwards of $500,000 into beautifying Downtown Halifax through Gritty to Pretty.
Being the 10th anniversary for the placemaking grant program, the initial grant call-out (May 2025) included ten prioritized projects, all with pre-determined locations identified.
“We received 56 applications this year, double the amount from last year, and 20 of those applicants were brand new to Gritty to Pretty,” says Jonathan Goldson, Placemaking Manager, DHBC. “We believe this reflects just how much interest and creativity this program continues to inspire.”
To see what projects Gritty to Pretty has funded over the last few years you can scroll our galleries below.
To view all current public art in Downtown Halifax, take our Self-Guided Art Tour.
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2025 Grant Recipients
Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) is pleased to share the (initial) 2025 Gritty to Pretty grant recipients:
*BIPOC
- OSO Planning & Design – Open Project - Raymond Taavel Park - ‘A Place for Everyone’
- Jared Betts & Katharine Burns - The Port of Halifax Mural Project – ‘Beneath the Waves - The Dreamworld of the Blue’
- Emily Clark - I Heart Bikes Mural Project – ‘Joy Ride’
- * Shane Song, Prince Churchill and Manjot Kaur - NSCAD University Mural Project – ‘The Story’
- * Boma Nnaji - CIBC Building Mural Project – ‘Welcome to Granville Mall’
The five picnic table mural opportunities will be done by:
- * Zoya & Layla Hussain – ‘For You - A Seat at the Table’
- * Daramfon Morgan - 'Go Back and Fetch It’
- Shannon Long - 'Hello’
- * Prince Churchill - 'Think Outside the Box; You Are Loved; Creative Toolkit’
- Doretta David - 'Allies, Friends, Community’
Once complete (end of July), the five painted picnic tables will be located at Peace and Friendship Park (2), Grafton Park (2) and Raymond Taavel Park (1).
More to come!
“Due to the high volume of applications this year, and being our special anniversary, we were able to review additional mural applications from artists with pre-determined locations," says Goldson. "And I'm happy to share that after much deliberation, five additional mural projects will be funded this summer! Stay tuned."
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jonathan Goldson, DHBC's Placemaking Manager, jonathan@downtownhalifax.ca or 902-423-5668.
To view all public art in Downtown Halifax take our Self-Guided Art Tour.
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2025 Halifax Mural Festival
Gritty to Pretty was proud to once again sponsor the Downtown portion of this year's Halifax Mural Festival.
Location 1: The Art Hub - A Gritty to Pretty & Halifax Mural Fest Collab, 1600 Grafton Street
Jonathen Cruz @blazentattoo
Shannon Long @shannon.long.art
Slick Skills @slick.skills
Thiago Martins Dos Santos @thimartinsantos
Max @alaskan.falcon
Reno @re3noh
Swade Owens @swadeowens & Victoria Brumwell @vbrumwellart
Anisa Francoeur @anisafrancoeur
Daniel Burt @bunhundred
Donnie @pekingdon
Location 2: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront
Moon Spade Magic @moonspade_magic
Boma Nnaji @bomatheartist
Chris Noam @noam_noamski
Maddie Alexander @constant__craving & Sorry Sacha @sorrysacha
Location 3: The NEW Granville Park at the Cogswell Interchange (beside the new stage)
Nessy @nessyrt
Lorne Julien @lornejulien
To view all public art in Downtown Halifax take our Self-Guided Art Tour.
2025 Gritty to Pretty Projects
2025 Halifax Mural Fest - Downtown Art
2024 Gritty to Pretty Projects
2023 Gritty to Pretty Projects
2023 Halifax Mural Fest
2022 Gritty to Pretty Projects
