Placemaking Spark Award

picture of a mural painted on a street

Placemaking SPARK AWARD

Ignite your impact!

The Portland State University Planning & Sustainability Office is awarding $2,500 to the boldest, most creative, and community-centered placemaking ideas on campus.

The Spark Award is designed to bypass the traditional "red tape" and empower students and faculty to lead high-impact, "non-precious" interventions that make PSU a place where people want to stay, show up, and belong.
 

What We Are Looking For?

We aren't looking for "perfect" renderings; we are looking for grounded storytelling and radical creativity.

Suggested Project Focus Areas:

The 18-Hour Neighborhood: Making campus feel like a destination after dark

Breezeways & Plazas: Fresh takes on activating our urban nodes (like Montgomery or Urban Plaza)

District Building: Projects that honor indigenous storytelling or cultural heritage

Student-Led Activations: DIY interventions, "messy" art, or pop-up hubs that build identity

What Can You Create?

Whether it’s a temporary installation, a performance series, a sculptural bench, or a new mural; if it sparks joy and fosters a sense of pride in our urban environment, we want to fund it.

Why Apply?

Funding: Receive up to $2,500 to bring your project to life

Experience: Gain tangible project management and experience design skills

Exposure: Showcase your work at the 2027 Placemakers Exchange in front of The PSU Community, Alumni, and City leaders

picture of a wand with a green start and the words "spark awards"

GUIDELINES & APPLICATION
Review more details surrounding the process and complete the application.

Not sure if your project fits?

We value progress over polish. If you have a raw idea but aren't sure how to navigate the logistics, come talk to us. We’re here to help you "cut the tape."

Email: planpsu@pdx.edu
Phone: 503-725-9851
Physical address: 
Portland State University
1600 SW 4th, Suite 122
Portland, OR 97201

AWARD Recipients