Until April, the walk down Market Street may be a bit more interesting.

That's because the International Interior Design Association has taken over vacant storefronts on our city thoroughfare between Fifth and Eighth Streets for The Windows project -- a city beautification project benefiting the Raphael House, a local shelter for homeless families.

All windows were inspired by art and personal stories from the children at the shelter. Titles include "Staying at Home, Playing with my Family," "My Mom is Making Pancakes on Friday for the Family" and "Family Sitting Under a Rainbow."

On Thursday, the IIDA unveiled windows designed by SFMOMA, Pritchard Peck Lighting, Studios Architecture, Destination Art and others at a lavish party with 20 percent of the ticket proceeds benefiting Raphael House.
photos here....

By

An economically unhealthy mix of a recession combined with limited street access caused by the Central Corridor light-rail construction has left dozens of storefronts vacant on a stretch of University Avenue between Highway 280 and Cretin-Vandalia in St. Paul.  But a group of eight loosely organized University of Minnesota graduate students calling themselves the Starling Project is working to fill these empty spaces with new and creative businesses and (possibly) save the neighborhood.

Last year, the Starling Project organized Storefront In A Box, a series of weeklong art events in vacant shops on Lyndale Avenue. This year they hope to highlight the possibilities for fledgling businesses by holding open house tours at empty storefronts on University Avenue where landlords are willing to sign short-term leases at bargain prices.

Home is where the art is for 16-year-old theater company's new venue space

“This is a watershed moment for Rivendell Theatre Ensemble,” said Artistic Director Tara Mallen of the renovated storefront space on 5779 North Ridge. After 16 years as an itinerant company, the organization dedicated to women’s voices finds a permanent home in the city’s Edgewater neighborhood.

After being vacant for 27 years, the new 1,600 square foot double-storefront venue will soon include a 50-seat flexible black box theatre, rehearsal space and administrative offices for the theater company. The space was designed by Rivendell founding member Elvia Moreno, a Chicago architect who has done the scenic design for several of the company’s productions. Overseeing the renovations is Steve Misetic, a Chicago actor who manages the family-owned building, and who has forged a unique partnership with Rivendell to create this new Chicago venue.

“We simply couldn’t have done this without the Driehaus Foundation. They provided the essential funds to kick-start the renovations and helped transform this dilapidated storefront into a beautiful, intimate theater venue.” said Mallen. In addition to the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Rivendell received crucial financial support and technical assistance from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation through its special PAV Fund, which will help the new theater meet the City of Chicago’s licensing code.

On Tuesday, members of the Will County Board joined school officials to announce that the county would donate $50,000 to the $145,200 cost of converting the storefront site into an 1,800-square-foot gallery. The site, located at the corner of Van Buren and Scott streets, was formerly the Union National Bank but has been vacant for more than a decade, officials said.

Smart Solutions to Empty Storefronts Popping Up in  Colorado

http://downtowncoloradoinc.wordpress.com/

Transforming Stagnant Spaces into Lively Places

In this current economy, it is not surprising to see vacant storefronts appear in Colorado communities of all sizes. But, what does surprise us is that the community and property owners let that storefront sit empty when there is an easy solution that benefits everyone: filling the space with a pop-up business.

There is no good reason to let empty storefronts remain empty. They create a stagnant space in what could otherwise be a lively contribution to a thriving commercial district. In fact, at many a technical assistance visit, DCI’s team of expert consultants has recommended a community fill its empty spaces with temporary installations otherwise known as “pop-up businesses.”  

What Is a Pop-up Business?

A pop-up business or store is created when an empty storefront temporarily houses a business for the benefit of both the property owner and the business owner. It is a fantastic solution to livening up those empty retail spaces and it is becoming popular across the country. In fact, pop-up stores are not the only businesses that are popping up these days…pop-up restaurants, pop-up food trucks, even pop-up bars are sprouting in communities across the country.  

Why Should You Consider a Pop-up? Now more than ever, when economic resources are at their thinnest, collaboration is key for the survival of any community. By utilizing a pop-up model for empty retail spaces, everyone is a winner!

• Property owners: A pop-up business “sells” your space for you. A pop-up store can do for a retail space what home staging does for a house for sale—highlight the potential and encourage a business owner to picture themselves and their customers in the space. Think about it…if you were confronted with two potential retail spaces, one sitting dark, empty, and dusty, and one that was brimming with patrons and life, which one would you choose?
• Potential business owners: A pop-up business allows you to “test the waters.” Whether a home-based business is considering a permanent move to a retail space or an entrepreneur wants to test out a new product, a pop-up space allows one to leap into the entrepreneurial pool without the risks of a permanent investment. It can provide the valuable information necessary to decide whether a business model needs to be tweaked or if you need to head into another direction all together.
• Surrounding business owners: A pop-up business helps to encourage a lively commercial district. A vacant storefront can drag down the entire commercial district. But, filling this space with a temporary business will add to the vitality and encourage more business for everyone. After all, people attract more people…the more customers that are out and about in your district, the more intriguing the district will appear to others. Plus, encouraging business owners to test the waters and tweak their business model can eliminate a string of failed businesses, which can negatively impact the entire district.  
• Community at large: A busy, attractive commercial district with no stagnant spaces provides a safe and lively environment, which benefits residents and visitors alike.

How Can a Pop-up Store Be Used?

Now that you’re convinced that you should never let a retail space sit empty, perhaps you’re wondering how to fill it? Here are some ideas from Colorado communities around the state that may provide you with a little inspiration.

1)  Create a temporary art gallery: Give local artists the chance to showcase their work. This could be as simple as displaying their artwork on the wall or as involved as creating an artist collaborative for artwork to be sold.  

Colorado example: I Heart Denver (located in the 16^th Street Mall Pavilions Denver , Colorado ) provides a locale for local artists and designers to sell their wares. The space supports “shopping local,” and artists collect 70 percent of all they sell.

2) Help a home-based business transition to retail: Entrepreneurs with a home-based business or new idea can safely test the waters without the usual risks. A temporary business allows entrepreneurs to work out the kinks and decide if a storefront is the best option.

Colorado example: Following up on a recommendation from a DCI technical assistance visit, Cedaredge, a small town of just over 2,000 in Delta County , utilized an empty storefront in the commercial district to bring in local home-based businesses to display and sell their products.

3) Engage the local community youth: Communities can encourage local youth to have pride in their community by encouraging research projects on the local history that culminates in an open house. Or provide students with the opportunity to have their own gallery, displaying artwork for the community to visit and admire. Bonus: proud parents who come to support their kids will create instant foot traffic. Colorado example: In 2007, Eads was awarded a Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence for the high school students’ creation of “Sample Town.” These amazing students spent months researching viable businesses and assembling business plans for the empty retail spaces in Eads. The plans were unveiled to the public when the students each spent a day manning the empty storefronts and sharing their entrepreneurial visions with visitors.   

Need more inspiration? For more ideas of pop-up examples across the country, visit www.popupinsider.com/blog.

Storefront Art

Vacant downtown buildings become temporary art galleries.

by Andrew Caldwell

New life is coming to two long-vacant buildings at the corner of South Main and Union .

The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) is working with the owners of 82 and 85 S. Main to convert their storefronts into miniature gallery spaces.

"We like active spaces," said Leslie Gower, DMC's vice president of marketing and communications. "Even if a building is vacant and has a good storefront, that's still okay."

The property at 85 S. Main was previously home to the Smooth Moves smoothie shop and has recently undergone a million-dollar renovation. The other building, 82 S. Main, is currently in the renovation process and has been vacant for nearly 10 years. Over the years, it has housed Stewart Brothers Department Store and Three Sisters clothing store.

Though both buildings are looking better than they have in years, the DMC wanted to go a step further to rejuvenate the corner of South Main and Union .

"That corner," Gower said, "is one of the highest pedestrian intersections in the city, and two of the four buildings were vacant. We didn't want them to just sit there."

Both storefronts will showcase at least one artist for a month at a time and then new pieces by different artists will be cycled in.

Edgewater Artists in Motion beautify vacant CTA storefronts ...
The concept of occupying vacant storefronts with art began right here in Edgewater in 2009, with the nation in a recession and empty storefronts abound ...

Some Theatre Companies Prefer No Home, Just A Cityscape To Perform In

"With a stagnant economy and a decline nationally in audiences for traditional dance and theater, there is renewed interest in performances outside darkened black- box theaters. Unusual spaces are also popular with patrons of the arts, who give grants for 'creative place-making' -- art that can reach broad audiences and help revitalize downtrodden neighborhoods." The New York Times 01/12/12

Bringing out the best in buildings
Durham News
It was, instead, "The Declaration Project," an interactive work of performance art and one of the 14 art installations in a new initiative designed to bring new life to vacant (and a few not-so-vacant) storefronts downtown. The Durham Storefront ...

           Due to the dedication and hard work of many people, downtown Winston-Salem has re-established itself as a destination. Many of our vacant storefronts have been renovated by enterprising small-business owners. Our goal is to have every storefront space occupied and thriving; however, as we tackle this challenge one building at a time, various downtown groups have used the vacant glass storefronts as "canvases" for artistic expression.

           This year, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank brightened up our downtown sidewalks during the holiday season with its extraordinary storefront window displays that have brought joy to the faces of our downtown visitors and local residents. The displays were one element of the season's "It's a Wonderful Life" campaign. This broad effort also showcased four standing-room-only free screenings of the classic movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," at Aperture Cinema.

Revisiting downtown
Boston.com
After spending the semester studying the downtown area, students last month presented a report to the city calling for improvements to storefronts and vacant spaces, simplifying start-up procedures for new businesses, better marketing to students at ...

M&M High Tech welcomes public to light display
Daily American Online
M&M High Tech expanded a small light display they had inside their store to a neighboring vacant storefront. Harold Hauger, M&M High Tech computer technician, said the display features thousands of lights set to the tune of eight different Christmas ...

           First Fridays in Park Ridge will have an indoor space available for some festivities for January, February, and March.

           The city's Committee of the Whole agreed to a temporary occupancy permit for 116 Main St. , the former home of Dominic's Kitchen Store. The permit will allow monthly events at the location, which the owner is allowing while he continues to look for a new leaser.

           The building was already used on Sept. 29 for a fashion show to benefit the fight against breast cancer. New Prospects, 2 Sisters, and Coop California presented that show. It also served as headquarters for the holiday light committee.

           Most recently, Father John Cusick spoke on the appreciation of the "Christmas Story" during the December First Friday event on Dec. 2. Cusick is director of the young adult ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

           The next event for the location will be the First Friday on Jan. 6 with the theme "Resolution Solutions." Organizers hope the storefront will hold at least 20 vendors. "We're hoping to get everything to do with a new you," said Gail Haller, executive director of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce. She expects businesses to offer deals on diet, massages, exercise, and other related topics. "Treats, drinks, deals, and fun," Haller said.

FI merchants take increased role in Christmas festival
Greenville News
By Nathaniel Cary | Tribune-Times Writer When asked by Fountain Inn city leaders to place a small jewelry shop in a vacant storefront for this year's Fountain Inn Spirit of Christmas Past festival, Frank and Suzi Fowler decided to take a bigger plunge ...

Project Pop-up gives new life to empty storefronts
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
On Sixth Street, across from Heinz Hall, a pair of glowing blue eyes peer out from a long-vacant storefront, now suffused with a warm, golden glow. The eyes, above an electric-blue frown, look annoyed. The sign on the door reads "Fraley's Robot Repair ...

Pop-up shops give downtown holiday shopping some snap
Portland Tribune
Some of that may be due to the popularity of the city-supported “pop-up shops” – vacant storefronts that are filled for six weeks with unique locally designed and produced clothing, accessories and art – which saw $225000 in sales this season, ...

Leadership Lackawanna uses projects to build skills, improve community
Scranton Times-Tribune
is a collaboration of local artists, building owners, First Friday Scranton and the Leadership Lackawanna class to give artists an outlet for their creative abilities as well as to brighten up vacant storefronts. The project serves a twofold purpose: ...

Edgewater Artists in Motion beautify vacant CTA storefronts ...
The concept of occupying vacant storefronts with art began right here in Edgewater in 2009, with the nation in a recession and empty storefronts abound ...

Easton Farmer's Market moves indoors for the holidays

Inside the store was what Easton leaders hope will be a much larger economic engine. The Easton Farmers’ Market today kicked off its inaugural indoor Holiday Mart, aimed at bringing people Downtown for the holidays.

“We’re really looking at it as an economic driver for the rest of the Downtown,” said Megan McBride, who manages the Farmers' Market, which closed its regular, outdoor season last weekend. “Sort of an anchor to bring down people and then while they’re down here hopefully they’ll fan out.”

Bethlehem has experienced that type of success with its annual Christkindlmarkt, which opened this year on Nov. 17 and annually draws thousands to the city's downtown.

The Holiday Mart included more than 20 vendors selling local foods and fine crafts. It will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 17, and also the Fridays of Dec. 23 and 30.

McBride, who said close to 300 residents had walked through the mart as of 1 p.m. , said the Farmer’s Market would like to stay indoors long term.

“I would love to,” she said. “Depending on how things go, but obviously if they find a permanent tenant for this building that may not be possibility for us.”

Local art fills vacant Wellesley storefronts - Wellesley ...
Have you noticed the artwork displays in the vacant Central Street stores that were formerly Betsy's and The Rugged Bear, or, most recently, the sculpture ...
www.wickedlocal.com/.../Local-art-fills-vacant-Wellesley-stor...

Bringing out the best in buildings
Local artists display their work in downtown storefronts

The Durham Storefront Project (DSP) opened during the Durham Art Walk Holiday Market last weekend and will remain in place until Jan. 2. It features an array of artistic styles and visions by a host of local artists in display windows and other storefront spaces.

"About a year ago Chris Chinchar, the co-organizer, and I were talking about the number of empty storefronts in downtown Durham ," said organizer Jessica Moore. "It occurred to us that this might be a pretty simple way to activate some of those under-utilized spaces, to add some vibrancy and interest to the area and help get more people walking around downtown.

"We sent out a call to artists and had a meeting to talk about the possibilities. Everybody jumped right on it."

Student artwork featured in Project Pop Up: Downtown
The Globe
Specifically, Point Park 's Cinema and Digital Arts program and the Photography programs have each been awarded a grant and a vacant storefront to use within the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's (PDP) Project Pop Up: Downtown, which enables the artwork ...

A Tree Grows in La Grange
Patch.com
Opening up his vacant storefront to display the tree made sense to MDC Properties, Inc owner Marc Cella as a great idea too. "“I was happy to donate the space to support Community Nurse,” Cella said. “It's a win-win for both of us to gain visibility in ...

County gets creative to adopt pets
Thousand Oaks Acorn
NewMark Merrill Companies, which owns the shopping center, donated a vacant storefront to help Bark Avenue Foundation and Ventura County Animal Services to find homes for animals that might otherwise be euthanized. The American Society for the ...

Public art – A wire sculpture | West Philly Local
November 18th, 2011 at 4:27 pm . It's on the vacant storefront at 46th & Cedar. I saw some wire portaits something like this at the most recent Fun-A-Day — same ...
www.westphillylocal.com/2011/11/.../public-art-a-wire-sculptu...

Empty Storefronts Are Transformed Downtown
The Missourian
Vacant storefronts in Downtown Washington have been transformed for the holiday shopping season. Eight groups or individuals spent the last three days decorating the windows just in time for the Holiday Shopping Open House this weekend. ...

Aldermen Agenda: Sexual-Orientation Protections, Storefront Art Program
Patch.com
Hear a presentation about the new Storefront Art program, which aims to turn vacant or underused retail space into a venue for artists' works. Consider approving an easement agreement with Ameren for the western edge of Shaw Park . ...

Council seeking festive vacant storefronts
Yarmouth County Vanguard
By Tina Comeau If the goal is for the town to begin to look a lot like Christmas, Yarmouth Town Council would like to nudge the owners of vacant storefronts in Yarmouth 's downtown in this direction. At a special town council meeting last Friday morning ...

11/16/2011

Artwork featured in empty Hoffman Estates storefronts
TribLocal
Shopping centers: beautiful artwork (even lighted in the early evening at Hoffman Plaza and Golf Center ) is featured in vacant storefront windows instead of a dark and empty space. Plus, relatives of student artists coming to view the artwork may end ...

Fight the Blight!
Buffalo Rising
This evening, from 6pm-10pm , members of the arts community are gathering at the 500-block of Main Street to create artwork that will then be showcased in various vacant storefront windows. I spoke to organizer Erica Eichelraut, one of the coordinators ...

High vacancy rate troubles downtown business
St. Catharines Standard
Polocko added the Association is also working with the city on possibly dressing up vacant storefronts. Rick Jenkins, Hlinyanszky's former landlord, co-owns four adjacent commercial units on St. Paul St. all occupied by businesses. ...

San Pablo Arts District Fund Announces STOREFRONT INSTALLATION BY Oakland Artist MICHAEL LOUIS YOUNG

By San Pablo Arts District Fund on March 3, 2010 - For Immediate Release Contact: Idan Levin San Pablo Arts District Fund Executive Director idan@sanpabloarts.org www.sanpabloarts.org San Pablo Arts District Fund Announces STOREFRONT INSTALLATION... [+]

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Art Installations and Performances in vacant storefronts

By Phantom Galleries LA on March 12, 2008 - The Long Weekend Installations and Performances Jordan Biren and Corrina Peipon, Ashley McLean Emenegger, MaryLinda Moss and Nikii Henry, Danial Nord, Cielo Pessione & John O'Brien, Astra... [+]

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San Pablo Arts District Fund and the di Rosa Present Videos from Reconstructed World

By San Pablo Arts District Fund on May 11, 2011 - May 2011 For Immediate Release: San Pablo Arts District Fund and the di Rosa Present Videos from Reconstructed World Friday, May 13, 2011 5512 San Pablo Avenue Oakland, CA 7 p.m. Media Contacts: Idan... [+]

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San Pablo Arts District Fund Presents “Silver Screen Meltdown,” Featuring Artist Michael...

By San Pablo Arts District Fund on May 13, 2010 - OAKLAND, CA – May 14, 2010, The San Pablo Arts District Fund (SPAD) is proud to host Oakland-based artist Michael Patrick Perez and his “Silver Screen Meltdown,” a dazzling mixed-media exhibit,... [+]

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�Let There Be Light� 24/7 Temporary art installations in vacant storefront windows in LA County.

By Liza Simone on December 13, 2006 - 680 E. Colorado Blvd , Pasadena 91101 . Artists Reception: Dec 16, 2006 . 6p-10p. The Phantom Galleries LA Holiday show will feature the artwork of the following artists: Joshua Callaghan, Sue Chorpenning,... [+]

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Public Art Transforms Storefront of Historic Vacant Building

By Christopher Marra on May 6, 2009 - Peekskill , NY - A public art installation is creating a vibrant and culturally exciting art experience in the long-empty storefront of 900 Main Street , a historic building in downtown Peekskill . Wilfredo... [+]

No Vacancy: Turning Empty Spaces Into Cultural Pop Ups ...

www.thirteen.org/.../no-vacancy-turning-empty-spaces-into-cultural-...

Oct 31, 2011 – Formerly empty storefront being turned into a gallery by the arts non-profit No Longer Empty. The organization takes vacant commercial spaces ...

“If a landowner has a building and he knows he can’t use it for a couple of years, there’s a negative energy in the neighborhood. But while we’re there we create a positive energy,” said Durst. In other words, unoccupied space is not only prone to physical deterioration — a turnoff to those who might be interested in a property — it can also drive investors away from surrounding properties and dampen community spirit.

And there’s another benefit for landlords: foot traffic.

“Smart building owners understand that this art in their windows makes their space look more attractive to future renters,” Ellen Scott, creative director of Smart Spaces, told the Daily News . “We’ve found the currency building owners care about most is cash, but not far behind that is publicity.” Smart Spaces is similar to Chashama, but adds an educational component by offering guided walking tours of

Chashama and Smart Spaces both rely on federal grants, such as those provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, but in some cases, private building owners and public institutions will offer spaces rent-free.

Chashama has also benefited from a package of art initiatives that the mayor’s office introduced in 2009. One of those initiatives allowed Chashama to occupy space in the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park , which they let artists use as studios on the condition that they participate in an entrepreneurial training program.

http://pollinateasheville.com/2011/09/28/artists-activate-empty-storefronts-with-smart-space-artist-in-residence-program/

CALL FOR ARTISTS: City of Asheville Cultural Arts Division Announces

Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

  Asheville , NC – The City of Asheville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department invites all area artists to submit artwork for SmART Space – the City’s first artist-in-residency program. The juried competition, which will award a $1,500 honorarium to a selected artist or artist team, is designed to provide short-term access to vacant storefront space for visual, performing, and new media artists or artist teams for the creation and presentation of new works.

The application deadline is Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. EST.   Application instructions and additional information is available on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts website at www.ashevillenc.gov/parks .

Use of the 1,500 square foot space at 190 Broadway is for a 90-day period, expected to conclude with a final product of a performance or exhibit in the space.

Using Art in Vacant Storefronts to Rebuild a Small Town ’s Future
Mar 9 // Joanne Steele // Dunsmuir , California
CATEGORY: Rural Tourism

http://www.ripplenw.org/authors/20/posts/254-Using-Art-in-Vacant-Storefronts-to-Rebuild-a-Small-Town-s-Future

Nothing portrays decline and defeat like a block full of empty storefronts. That is the situation in small town after small town throughout the United States right now.

With a rise in interest in “local,” – local food, authentic experiences, a slower pace of life and all that longing for something REAL, these empty small towns should be bustling with visitors, but they’re not.

Taking an idea from larger communities, small towns are beginning to turn to their arts community for help.

Filling those vacant storefronts with art has been a successful economic revitalization project for the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Eugene, Oregon is also filling vacant storefronts with art.

And now, Dunsmuir , California , population barely 2000, is readying five storefronts for the work of local artists.

Vacant Storefronts: Artists, Advertisers Use Empty Space - TIME

Oct 3, 2009 – American cities, beset with a growing number of unsightly vacant storefronts, are turning to entrepreneurs and artists for a quick fix.

Empty Storefronts? Artists to the Rescue | New Haven Independent

Aug 23, 2010 – Alan Neider is lighting nine vacant storefronts on Orange Street near Center with these delicate biomorphic lamps fashioned from found and ...

More suburbs encouraging artists to dress up their vacant buildings ...

May 25, 2011 – More suburban downtowns are burdened with empty storefronts, an unfortunate consequence of the lackluster economy. But a growing number ...

'Pop Ups' Help Fight Blight From Vacant Storefronts | Realtor ...

Aug 18, 2011 – Cities are using “pop-up” stores and exhibits to fill empty storefronts in helping struggling downtowns attract more customers and fight blight.

Palm Springs wants to fill vacant storefronts with art - latimes.com

Sep 17, 2009 – Eager to safeguard its image as an upscale tourist resort, Palm Springs is prescribing art therapy as a partial cure for downtown shops caught ...

Temporary Mario Garcia Torres Exhibit at 45 Orchard - Bowery Boogie

Apr 25, 2011 – 45 Orchard joins numerous other stalled storefronts on lower Orchard, but is currently in the running for the award of longest retail vacancy.

Raleigh Downtown Living Advocates - Home - Share Your Vision for ...

Oct 12, 2011 – It's happening across the country. Whether it's the WALK (Window Art Local Knowledge) Gallery transforming vacant storefronts on King Street ...

Missoula Storefront Art Project: Using Art in Vacant Storefronts to ...

Mar 17, 2011 – "Nothing portrays decline and defeat like a block full of empty storefronts. That is the situation in small town after small town throughout the ...

'Pop Ups' Help Fight Blight From Vacant Storefronts

Daily Real Estate News | Thursday, August 18, 2011

Cities are using “pop-up” stores and exhibits to fill empty storefronts in helping struggling downtowns attract more customers and fight blight. 

The pop-up stores can either be an inviting display or serve as a temporary store that is there for a few days, weeks, or even months. Some big-name retailers have used pop-ups to make a brief splash. 

Pittsburgh city officials recently debuted “Project Pop Up: Downtown,” with plans to fill up to 15 storefronts with "pop-up" exhibits and stores that would begin operating in the fall, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. The city is providing artists or operators start-up grants ranging from $1,500 to $10,000.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says he hopes the pop-up program will improve the appearance of the city’s downtown and stimulate the real estate and business market there, giving shoppers more reason to visit. 

Similar pop-up programs have launched in New York , San Francisco , Seattle , and other cities as a solution to improving empty storefronts.

http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2011/08/18/pop-ups-help-fight-blight-vacant-storefronts

Vacant downtown storefronts to display art

http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/09/vacant_downtown_storefronts_to.html

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. -- You know art when you see it, they say, and you also know vacant storefronts paint an ugly picture of downtown's nascent renaissance. Operation New Birmingham wants to use one to combat the other.

ONB is planning to use empty buildings along 20th Street from First Avenue North to Linn Park as temporary galleries for Birmingham area artists.

About a dozen empty storefronts with windows that face the street will be used to display paintings, sculpture, multimedia and other forms of art, ONB's Robert Emerick said Wednesday. If demand warrants it, ONB will approach more property owners and expand the project. The idea, Emerick said, is to have those windows occupied before the holidays.

It's an idea that's proven successful in other cities. ONB looked at about 30 markets and found projects ranging from huge, elaborate shows in cities such as San Francisco to small town projects involving just a couple of storefronts.

South Euclid battling vacant storefronts with the beauty of art

http://blog.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/2011/06/south_euclid_battling_vacant_s.html

SOUTH EUCLID -- City officials are hoping that the power of art can bring tenants to currently vacant commercial buildings.

On June 17, the city, in partnership with Notre Dame College , kicked off its Storefront Art Initiative program at a vacant storefront at 1512 South Green Road , just south of Mayfield Road .

The program calls for artwork created by NDC art students to be placed in the front windows of the vacant storefronts. It is hoped that the art will attract the attention of people and possibly lead to the building being rented.

At the same time, young artists have their works viewed by a wider audience than might ordinarily see them.

“We saw them do this (type of program) in the city of Cleveland ,” said Mike Love, South Euclid ’s economic development coordinator. “They did it differently. They painted the windows, and we’re just putting artwork in the windows on display.

How To Make An Empty Storefront Look (Slightly) Better - Rick

Jul 25, 2011 – Designs by artist Andria Alix will be installed starting this week in the windows of vacant storefronts on Pearl Street in Hartford . Theaterworks ...

Lancaster Ave Arts to Beautify Vacant Store Fronts - AroundPhilly

Jul 21, 2011 – Between September 30th and November 30th, Lancaster Arts Ave is seeking to install numerous works of art in vacant storefronts along ...

Pop Ups: A Solution for Vacant Storefronts? : Fairweather Consulting

Sep 20, 2011 – According to Springwise, a charity has been created in the UK whose sole purpose is to find not-for-profits who are willing to fill vacant ...

Gate Projects

Mar 10, 2011 – GATE transforms temporarily vacant storefronts into art exhibition sites. For more info and a map of all the exhibitions visit www.gateprojects.org ...

Local Artists Turn Vacant Storefronts into Walk-By Galleries - YouTube

2 min - Uploaded by chriswangler
Waltham Newswatch, June 11, 2009 . Boston.com correspondent Kathryn Eident talks to wire artist Bobby Vilinsky as he installs ...

Home - Vacant Storefront Ads.com

Vacant Storefront Ads.com brings advertising campaigns directly to audiences across America by utilizing vacant storefronts as a blank canvas for print, digital, ...

Press Release — Dressing up Vacant Downtown Storefronts

14 vacant storefronts are transformed into works of art for the winter holidays. ( Boonton , NJ , October 4, 2011 ) — Vacant storefront windows are a familiar sight in

LOOK on Lancaster Ave Public Art Project | Now | Drexel University

LOOK! Public Art Project Transforms Vacant Storefronts on Lancaster Avenue . PHILADELPHIA , September 29, 2011 . Artwork by Paul Schultz for LOOK public art ...

Storefronts Seattle: Temporary Installations - Call Detail

https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=663

Storefronts Seattle , in partnership with the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, seeks artists to develop installations for vacant storefronts in Seattle 's Pioneer ...

Whittier Storefront Project

whittierstorefrontproject.tumblr.com/

Our goal is to fill the vacant storefront windows in the Whittier area of Minneapolis with artwork that appeals to the community. We as an organization are ...

Vacant Storefront Galleries CHICAGO | Good Design Daily

gooddesigndaily.com/2011/09/vacant-storefront-galleries-chicago/

The Pop Up Art Loop is one of several initiatives around the world to convert unused commercial storefront space into temporary public art exhibitions, creating a ...

Towns add 'pulse' to vacant storefronts - Carroll County Times: Local

Mar 22, 2011 – While walking in downtown Westminster one day last year, Susan Williamson noticed several vacant storefronts along Main Street . Williamson ...

SAN ANTONIO - It's a way to transform our city into a more active and vibrant place. Local artists have been selected to help revitalize our Downtown area.  Public Art San Antonio says the art exhibits will be placed in different storefronts and the locations of them will be temporary. 

"I spent some time on Commerce Street walking around to get a feel for it -- even talked to store owners," said local artist Mat Kubo.

That's what helped Mat decide on his creation. On Commerce near St. Mary's Street you'll find images of people who work on Commerce Street  stenciled into the plywood. 

http://www.woai.com/content/news/newslinks/story/Revitalizing-downtown-area-with-art-in-vacant/-kqWdAIawUKa2G_co6i5DQ.cspx