b"Example of a parklet in Princeton, New Jersey. Design by Kirsten Thoft and photo by Halkin Mason Photography.Front PorchThe Front Porch project will bring creatives and local business owners together to create outdoor extensions of their businesses. The inspiration for the project comes from the idea of the midwestern front porch - a space that is crucial to community, family, identity and conversation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has an emphasis on creating safe spaces as we reintroduce visitors and patrons to downtown. The completed porches will debut in 2022. Downtown Wichita, in partnership with the City of Wichita, received the Our Town placemaking grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) as well as additional funds from the Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation to support this project. Downtown Wichita would like to thank Fidelity Bank. Through their support, we were able to work alongside Blais and Associates, an incredible grant consulting firm, whose expertise was imperative in completing our successful application for the NEA grant.Front Porch PartnershipsBelinda Smith with Jenny Dawn Cellars Chiyoko and Sarah Myose with Old Mill Tasty ShopDrew Phillips with Standard Issue CompanyElisabeth Owens with Lucinda'sEngy AlGraf with Wichita Cheesecake CompanyKevin Harrison with Public at the BrickyardSketch by Chiyoko and Sarah Myose Sketch by Kevin Harrison25"