Below are snippets of my interview with Amanda Sansoterra. She is the assistant to the artist Tyree Guyton, the director of the Emerging Artist Program, and the intern/volunteer coordinator at the Heidelberg Project.

ArtRoots: Did the Heidelberg Project always have support from the community, foundations, & government?

Amanda Sansoterra: Goodness no! The Heidelberg Project is 26 years old this year. The community and government despised the project and parts of it were torn demolished, twice. Oh, probably within the past 8 years we have begun to gain support from the community and within the past few years we’ve been recognized by amazing foundations. We’ve Always had a major following of supporters who adore and respect the project and see it’s value.

AR: How did Tyree initially fund the project?

AS: It was all out of pocket.

AR: Was this Tyree’s first major community project? Was it yours?

AS: Major…yes. Me as well. I’ve not been involved with a project as big as the Heidelberg Project…

AR: How do you measure the success of this project?

AS: We do look at a few…statistics. Here is a link to an article that was done on Heidelberg’s economic impact: http://web.williams.edu/Economics/ArtsEcon/library/pdfs/HPEconImpWayneCo.pdf 

For many of us here at the Project, we measure success by the stories that are shared with us of inspiration, hope and change and by witnessing these things ourselves.

AR: In many ways HP achieved things the government failed to do…create good public space, increase safety, etc. Were these goals Tyree had in mind when he started the project?

AS: Absolutely. The fact that the city was not doing anything to better his neighborhood, prompted Tyree to make the change he wanted to see for himself.