KCCI Reveals 2026 Placemaking Project, Opens Application to New Community Catalysts
KCCI Reveals 2026 Placemaking Project,
Opens Application to New Community Catalysts
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— The Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) announced its 2026 placemaking initiative, an effort to enhance the neighborhoods where artistic crosswalks have been lost by adding creativity and vibrancy back into these areas. To carry out the initiative, self-nominated, volunteer Community Catalysts will be selected by the selection committee. Individuals selected as Community Catalysts will work with schools, local leaders, and residents to restore pride, identity, and beauty in the nine neighborhoods most affected—by reimagining public spaces and developing a plan that brings art, connection, and vibrancy back to our neighborhoods.
KCCI Community Catalysts are change-agents in the Tallahassee community. Through a self-nomination process, interested catalysts apply and then a diverse group is selected to serve as the year’s “Community Catalyst” team. The Catalysts volunteer their time, and with input from KCCI, implement a sense of place project each year. To apply go to: https://kccitallahassee.com/get-involved/become-a-catalyst/application/
The application cycle for the 2026 Community Catalyst program year closes November 6, 2025.
“This placemaking initiative is about reclaiming the spirit of neighborhoods and schools through creativity and collaboration using placemaking tools,” said Betsy Couch, Executive Director of KCCI. “During the project, KCCI’s team will engage diverse groups — residents, students, businesses, local governments and others — through participatory urban planning. The goal is to create memorable community-driven, public art and projects that enhance and represent the neighborhoods or schools.”
About a month ago, due to an order from Florida Department of Transportation nearly 20 artistic crosswalks in Leon County were removed. These artistic crosswalks were privately funded, improved traffic compliance, slowed down vehicular speeds and reflected the schools or neighborhoods where they were placed. Since their removal, residents have continued to ask, “What can we do to bring back vibrancy in our neighborhoods?”.
The 2026 KCCI Community Catalyst project marks KCCI’s 19th year of strengthening Tallahassee’s identity through placemaking projects that help drive economic vitality and bring community members together. Past KCCI projects include the life-size TLH and urban park near South Monroe, the Art of Box artistic utility boxes throughout the city, Getting Gaines Street going, the Frenchtown Farmers Market, Sustainable Tallahassee, the amphitheater and Discovery playscape at Cascades Park, among many others.
KCCI trains its Community Catalysts on research about the Power of Place and related economists. This research shows that the economic prosperity of a community is directly related to its ability to attract and retain talent and members of the creative sector through the creation of places where people want to connect. KCCI then challenges the Catalysts to implement a sense of place project that helps attract and retain the creative class, young professionals and college graduates.
For information about applying to be a Community Catalyst or to view past KCCI placemaking projects, visit https://kccitallahassee.com
About the Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI): Established in 2007, KCCI annually selects and organizes volunteers known as Community Catalysts to implement placemaking projects. These projects have helped enhance Tallahassee’s sense of place and generated nearly $1 billion in economic development. A new group of volunteer Community Catalysts is selected to plan and implement each annual project. KCCI is made possible by partners including: Knight Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation of North Florida, VyStar Credit Union, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Taproot, FAMU School of Business and Industry, Florida State University, NAI TALCOR, Nolia & Bill Brandt, Wood + Partners, David Powell & Vicki Weber, Marjorie Turnbull, Serena and Jon Moyle, Tharpe Construction, Dentist Dr. Cory Couch, Target Print & Mail, and Hartsfield Construction.