Filling the Emptiness With Local Art

Posted on July 29, 2009 
Filed Under Art, Downtown/Civic Center, Mission

Poet of the Beat Generation and literary son of San Francisco, Allen Ginsberg, said: “Fortunately art is a community effort—a small but select community living in a spiritualized world endeavoring to interpret the wars and the solitudes of the flesh.”

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Walking down Central Market, Lower 24th Street, 3rd Street in Bayview, or through the Tenderloin, these “wars and solitudes” of life in 2009 are palpable in the abandoned and shuttered shops alone—obvious evidence of the economic hardships that San Francisco is enduring. But in the spirit of community and perhaps in a belief in the transformative power of creativity, the City is striving to shine a ray of optimism into these dark spaces. You could say that San Francisco is rallying to a cry put forth by another artist who’s no stranger to its streets—Shepard Fairey and his graphic work “Make Art, Not War.”

To that end, the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Community Arts and Education Program has partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development to create a pilot Art in Storefronts program to fill empty store windows with temporary installations by local artists. The hope is that, now, when the going is tough, local artists will get going to bring new energy into our struggling neighborhoods.

“These tough economic times have had an impact on our treasured neighborhoods, leaving storefronts empty or underutilized,” stated Mayor Newsom. “Art in Storefronts encourages a temporary alternative use of storefronts that will reinvigorate our neighborhoods and commercial corridors, improve streetscape conditions and safety, and support merchants by increasing foot traffic and instilling community pride. We also believe that the art installations will ultimately help get these spaces leased.”

ais_bayview_web-1The program will launch in Central Market in September, and will run through January 2010. Artists living or working in Bayview, Central Market, Mission, and Tenderloin will have priority in the selection process and, according to Art in Storefronts project partner Triple Base Gallery, art works of any genre that “respond to the history, unique character and positive qualities of [those] neighborhoods” will receive special consideration. In return for working to benefit their community “artists, who have also been affected by the economy, [will be provided with a] unique opportunity to showcase their creativity… and to garner public recognition for their work.” It’s a win-win.

The Art in Storefronts application deadline is August 14. Interested artists can learn more and get the application here.

–Sara

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Comments

2 Responses to “Filling the Emptiness With Local Art”

  1. taylor on July 30th, 2009 12:17 am

    Such a wonderful idea!! I love it.

  2. taylor on July 30th, 2009 12:18 am

    Ohandthatposterisridic!!!

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