Downtown districts, malls, and retail centers everywhere are faced with the dreaded vacant spaces. An empty storefront sucks the energy away from the other businesses and projects anything but vibrancy.
Downtown New Haven, Connecticut addressed the problem by transforming the store windows into a temporary art gallery. Each window that does not support a business is filled with a display of beautiful artwork — so walking along the downtown streets is more like being in an outdoor gallery than a ghost town.
Each window includes a hanging sign that reads: “Space for lease…but for now, the windows are for art” reinforcing the idea that businesses are welcome to return.
How has your organization made use of its space? If you have walls, windows, or front-facing real estate that isn’t maximized in its current usage, maybe you can stimulate creativity with a temporary gallery. Art doesn’t need to be permanent to inspire.
