Among the dozens of interesting programs selected to take part in the Festival of Ideas next month is, “Art in Empty Spaces,” a collaboration between No Longer Empty and Community Board 3. The organizers have selected 15 art projects. Now all they need is the empty spaces! If you’re a Lower East Side landlord who might be able to help, read on…
Art in Empty Spaces is a new venture being co-sponsored by Community Board 3 and No Longer Empty that will bring together building owners with the local arts community to make a difference: attract foot traffic, increase cultural tourism, contribute to local businesses, and assist with leasing vacant storefronts in the Lower East Side/East Village.
Community Board 3 is the most local form of government for the Lower East Side and Chinatown area. It is the forum for residents and businesses to participate in decision making for their community. No Longer Empty is a public art organization that is known for the quality, the ambition and the professionalism of its temporary transformation of empty storefronts into public exhibitions.
Showcasing and reinvigorating vacant stores with artwork or cultural programming brings new energy to our community from which residents, visitors, businesses, and potential investors all stand to benefit. At the same time, through increased exposure and improved aesthetics, the stores are likely to be leased out sooner and at higher rents as has resulted in several locations where No Longer Empty has exhibited.
Do you have a space that will be for lease in the near future? Market it and gain recognition when we launch this venture in spring 2011…
We welcome any suggestions on the initiative and hopefully count you as one of the founding partners of Art in Empty Spaces. For questions or more information, contact Naomi at Naomi@nolongerempty.org.
Thank you in advance for your time and support.
