Graffiti: The Kamloops Bin Project

City of Kamloops Bin Project. Photos N. Doucet 2021 CC BY-NC-ND

The Project

Kamloops, a city in British Columbia, Canada, has taken a unique and exploratory approach to street art. Unlike many cities, which have taken a punitive approach to street art and graffiti, Kamloops has sought to engage with the local art community and empower young artists. This approach has involved covering wall space with sanctioned art projects to enhance the visual aesthetic of the city and to discourage artwork that may offend certain members of the community.

Many of the back alleys in Kamloops have become adorned with street art, some of which has been commissioned by local businesses. The City of Kamloops has also approved and funded a number of more prominent murals after receiving support from the city's business associations. Since most graffiti artists will not paint over existing artwork, the murals have been part of an exploratory effort to cover wall space with sanctioned art projects.

The city has also initiated a number of other projects to support street art and engage with the local creative community. One such project was initiated in 2019 by the Sanitation and Solid Waste department of the City of Kamloops. Concerned about the damage done to the alleyway bins, the city decided to hire young street artists to initiate a beautification project. The young artists were given the freedom to practice their art, and the bins they painted have remained unvandalized to this day, indicating the effectiveness of the project in preventing graffiti vandalism in the area.

Kamloops' approach to street art is unique, as it involves local businesses, the art community, non-profit social services, the local skate/paint shop, restorative justice, and many others. The project is collaborative, and no enforcement or police officers have participated in it. Instead, the project relies on community involvement and empowerment, allowing young artists to practice their art freely without being fined or arrested.

The project has had positive outcomes, with young artists becoming vital parts of the creative community. Some of them have found employment or educational opportunities in the arts as a result, and many of them have been able to access community programs. Moreover, the graffiti shop owner and another muralist work with the local school board to teach students graffiti-based art.

According to a CBC News article, the project has led to a significant decrease in graffiti vandalism in the area. The city had previously taken enforcement and policing approaches, which had led to poorer outcomes and increased costs. The current approach has involved a shift towards community involvement and empowerment, which has had positive outcomes for the community.

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