Bloomberg Philanthropies – the charitable arm of Michael Bloomberg’s business empire – has named four US cities which will receive up to US$1m (€899,000, £636,000) each to fund a series of public art projects across the US.

Formerly known as the Digital Engagement Initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies provides funding for the development of technology to increase access to cultural institutions and enhance visitor experiences.

The charity’s first Public Art Challenge Grant asked cities with populations of at least 30,000 people to submit their proposals for projects involving artists, arts organisations and the local government, while also addressing civic issues.

Among the winners were the city of Gary in Indiana, where ‘Art House: A Social Kitchen’ will be created inside a vacant building, offering locals culinary training and cultural programming. Los Angeles in California is also included in the list, marking its first ever Public art Biennial with ‘Current: LA River’, an experience which will include 15 multimedia works emphasising water conservation during one of California’s worst droughts in history.

In South Carolina, the city of Spartanburg will collaborate with artist Erwin Redl to create a temporary LED installation designed to create safer spaces and address crime in the city and finally, a project between New York state’s Albany, Schenectady and Troy will use light installations in unused, vacant homes to highlight the need in the area for community revitalisation.

Michael Bloomberg's charity grants US$17m to cultural institutions worldwide