Art has long been heralded as good business. But now is the time to show how art also contributes to the building blocks of a thriving community.

PUBLIC VENUES PROMOTE INNOVATION AND IMPACT

The most successful public spaces have an energy that permeates the entire visitor experience, creating a heartbeat, a soul, that delights guests and invites them into a brand story. This energy is an essential component of placemaking, and it is one that is no longer optional.

As Walter Isenberg, CEO of Sage Hospitality Group says, “Placemaking is significant because the customer demands it. They want to go somewhere interesting, and they’re interested in experiences.”

A prime example of how experience and impact can work together in harmony is the community art space Union Hall. As a multipurpose arts and cultural venue located in Denver’s historic Union Station neighborhood, the nonprofit serves as a “cultural concierge” for the community. Union Hall features experimental exhibitions across a wide array of mediums and focuses. In addition, the space prioritizes partnering with other arts and cultural organizations throughout the larger Denver metro area. A weekly newsletter and social media outreach inform residents of unique, one-of-a-kind art events in and around the area, many of which showcase emerging and underrepresented local creatives.

Union Hall works to create a sense of place, engaging civil society and driving economic development. Ultimately, the venue understands that creative connection is vital to strengthening the local economy.

COMMUNITY ART SPACES SUPPORT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

Art is often a visual narrative. But the way in which that story is told and the individual who brings it to life, are as important as the story itself. That’s why it’s essential to consciously curate art with diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in mind.

Over 80% of people surveyed believe it’s good business to celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion as part of art projects. Beyond being a smart business decision, investing in art can help demonstrate your values and build connections. Nearly 70% of stakeholders surveyed by NINE dot ARTS strongly agree that art’s goal is to build social and cultural capital. However, commercial partners that NINE dot ARTS surveyed reported that in their recent projects, only:

• 50% used a female artist
• 35% used a Black or Hispanic artist
• 15% used an artist from the LGBTQIA+ community

Thoughtfully cultivating diversity must be at the forefront of community art space planning. “Art and social impact and community engagement are huge,” says Sarah McGarry, principal at Stantec. “This is where our clients can tell a story that is supportive of different cultures and make a message of it.”

The Clayton Club puts this notion into action. Founded on the pillars of opportunity, equity and inclusivity, the club’s collection includes more than 235 paintings, photographs, sculptures, murals, and installations. Works commissioned for the Clayton Club are guaranteed fair and proper compensation. In addition, select artists can join the Clayton Community through contributions of art, programming or events in lieu of membership fees, all while keeping 100% of the profit of their displayed work.

This type of model allows underrepresented and emerging artists to showcase their talents and share their perspectives with visitors, volunteers, members and more.

MIXED-USE COMMUNITY SPACES FOSTER COLLABORATION

Collaboration is key to fostering new ideas. For organizations that want to foster co-working or community interaction, creativity should be a central component. Collaboration begins with shared goals for the space and the art itself. Meaningful, successful art experiences only happen when all stakeholders, decision makers and experts work in tandem toward a shared purpose.

According to Chad McWhinney, CEO and co-founder of real estate development leader McWhinney, “The best projects come from harnessing the collective wisdom of a talented team of people, all growing in the direction of a common vision.”

At Union Hall, for instance, a purposeful partnership led to a dynamic arts space supporting a wide variety of events and mediums, each requiring their own collaborations. The space itself is funded through a first-of-its-kind funding strategy – developed in partnership with other commercial businesses -which utilizes a transfer fee from the area condominium sales to support the flexible arts venue.

The Clayton Club’s goal of inspiring and enticing the entrepreneurial minds of its members was made a reality thanks to a partnership with an artwork loan program and arts education nonprofit. The collaboration has created a central meeting place for both creatives and business professionals.

Collaboration can also expand on brand values and foster community involvement with local creatives. In fact, over 95% of people surveyed say including local art is an effective way to support the community while garnering goodwill toward a project.

When the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation prepared to relocate, a central focus was on how to connect their brand and mission to the vibrant arts community in their new location. The end result was a variety of programming, exhibitions and collections that featured local artists and uplifted the rich history of the area. Bonfils-Stanton also took it one step farther by providing dual-language pamphlets on their art collection, expanding access for Spanish speakers.

HOW TO BEGIN CULTIVATING COMMUNITY IN YOUR PUBLIC SPACE

To begin the process of utilizing art to create community impact, remember your brand. Ultimately, who you are and what you stand for will help shape your creative vision and corresponding collection.

From there, ask yourself:

• What value does my brand bring to the table?
• How does my brand exist in relation to the local community?
• How can this art experience engage the local community and tell a compelling story?

Such questions can help guide your integration of art and culture into your space and create that “heartbeat” that will make it stand out. Authentic buy-in from locals will not only increase the value of the space but also establish memories and facilitate belonging. Including work by local artists can boost their business, fuel their passion, and share unique perspectives that spark new ideas.

Essentially, this is the definition of art with intention – art that is brand-focused, locally driven, and thoughtfully curated. Taking it one step further, art with intention is rooted in a vision and gives your business an opportunity to tell a cohesive, visual story in an increasingly competitive market.

About the Author: Martha Weidmann, CEO and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS

As a formally trained artist, self-taught business woman, and lifelong entrepreneur, NINE dot ARTS CEO Martha Weidmann aims to be a mentor and champion for aspiring artists and business leaders alike. Martha and Co-founder Molly Casey formed NINE dot ARTS in 2009 with the vision of building a forward-thinking art consulting company that both curates incredible art experiences and advocates for art and artists. Since then, the firm has completed over 900 projects in real estate development across 35 states and five countries, generating $40 million in revenue for the creative economy. Currently, their artist app, Dotfolio, features over 10,000 artists from around the world.

About NINE dot ARTS

NINE dot ARTS is a nationally recognized, award-winning art consulting and curating firm with over 900 projects in real estate development across 35 states and 5 countries, generating $40 million in revenue for the creative economy. From hotels, multifamily residential properties, and offices to large-scale, mixed use developments and interactive public art installations, NINE dot ARTS transforms ordinary places into one-of-a-kind experiences. For additional information, visit NINEdotARTS.com.

The post Giving Back and Leaning In: The Fundamentals of Community Art Spaces appeared first on Art Business News.

The creation of a place cultivated by works of art cannot be replicated on a screen. Rather it must be felt, experienced, explored.

Public art is essential for placemaking because it manifests within the very places we inhabit – alleyways, walls, parking structures, parks, and the public way. Art and culture create the heartbeat of the streets. Communities and businesses alike benefit from enhanced social cohesion, improved health and economic outcomes, and the creative energy and aesthetic of a place enhanced by arts and culture.

To entice people back into a routine of work and play outside of the home, we must fill places with color, soul, and emotion. We must create unique opportunities to encounter life.

Here are three ways placemaking can create space that calls people back to shared spaces in our communities.

Create Social Cohesion and a Sense of Community Through Art

The creation of art should be consistent and dynamic. Businesses can play a role by investing in a continual practice of cultivating art and attracting diverse local talent. Local artists’ muse is often their surroundings — the positives and the negatives of the local community, what attracted them, why they’ve stayed, and the influence of everyday life. Their art is the link between the neighborhood’s past and its future. This kind of living experience connects people with the culture and vibe of the community in which they live.

The Blue Trees project does just this for the Denver Theatre District. The project, which covers over 16 city blocks, places civic engagement at the forefront of the community. The project includes 156 blue trees (colored with environmentally safe, non-toxic, natural blue pigment), which bring awareness not only to global deforestation, but also the importance of trees to human life and their environment.

Not only did the Blue Trees project showcase a unique piece of art, it also involved dozens of free, family-friendly events designed to connect the community and the cause.

Cultural Placemaking is a Powerful Tool for Renewal

Utilizing art and culture can reinforce the foundation of our communities. It shows the story of our lives, connects us to the past and is an example that, despite having gone through a pivotal experience like a global pandemic, we can endure and thrive.

Take Denver Water’s headquarters for instance. Through the use of art, the organization was able to share their mission, goals and the work they do. One piece, created by local artist Rik Sargent, entitled “Forests to Faucets” tells the story of how Denver’s water flows through the mountains and into the city’s faucets. To create the piece, Sargent involved different members of Denver Water’s organization to add to the clay model, literally crafting the story through the eyes of the employees.

The integration of this particular work, and other pieces into Denver Water’s new campus not only showed the importance of the work the organization does, but also the creation of a public presence for Denver Water’s rich history and a source of attraction and retention for employees.

Another example of art benefitting the community’s well-being is the Happy City project, which was in the Denver Theatre District. For six weeks, several artists collaborated on installations that encouraged Denver residents to acknowledge and dismantle barriers to mental health and encourage the stronger collective. Programming in streets and alleyways, on billboards and video screens, promoted mental health awareness and citywide wellness through interesting urban design.

Creative Placemaking Through Art Supports The Triple Bottom Line

A recent study by the Urban Land Institute found that the impact of creative placemaking supports the triple bottom line: financial, social and environmental profit.

In fact, Americans for the Arts found the vast majority of Americans — over 90% — believe arts and culture improve quality of life. Over 80% believe arts and culture is essential to the economy and local businesses.

Leveraging arts and culture in conjunction with quality design just makes good business sense. In fact, developers and their partners have reported higher market values, lower turnover rates, faster approval cycles, greater community buy-in, and better brand and market recognition because of the use of public art.

Building with arts and culture in mind, or incorporating them into your existing space, can attract and delight visitors, residents, and employees. Creating a place improves livability and quality of life for the community. It allows us to begin to experience the world again and move forward.

Bio:

As CEO and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS, Martha Weidmann oversees all business operations and works directly with our clients and partners. Martha graduated from Colorado State University with a dual major – Communications and Fine Arts. She started her career with Walker Fine Art gallery in Denver, then moved on to the most prestigious art consulting firm (at the time) in the region, McGrath and Braun, from which NINE dot ARTS was born. Martha loves the business of art and finds tremendous satisfaction in helping new and emerging artists discover that you can actually get paid for your talent. She spends her day balancing between touring an amazing new NINE dot ARTS art experience in the morning and reviewing equally inspiring spreadsheets in the afternoon. Martha supports the art community by currently serving on the Board of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts.

About NINE dot ARTS

NINE dot ARTS is a nationally recognized, award-winning art consulting and curating firm with 825 installations across 35 states and 5 countries. From hotels, multifamily and office properties to large-scale, mixed use developments and dynamic public art installations, NINE dot ARTS transforms ordinary places into one-of-a-kind experiences. For additional information on NINE dot ARTS, visit ninedotarts.com.

The post The Importance of Placemaking: Public Art’s Role in Returning Communities in Work and Play appeared first on Art Business News.

The Black Lives Matter movement has helped our entire society understand the dominant forces of white supremacy that have run our nation for hundreds of years. This movement is just one example of the influences of this centuries-old approach on our culture. Further, it gives us a course of action for how we can change it. And this all starts with inclusion and diversity.

The state of diversity in the art industry

No industry or organization is immune from this awakening. And that includes the world of art.

Nearly two million Americans consider themselves artists. Yet, most of what America views as art is produced predominantly by white artists. In New York City galleries alone, 88 percent of artists featured are white.

Institutional racism keeps Black people locked out of the art world, putting these talented artists in a disadvantaged position, subject to exploitation and discrimination.

The danger lies when we, as a society and fellow artists, pretend we don’t see it or worse, feel we can’t do anything to change the narrative.

Here are a few ways to encourage diversity in the art world and support Black artists.

Use the wow factor to pioneer change

Photographer and artist, Brien Hollowell, knows the pressure of having to deliver. “As a Black artist, I am always searching for how to bring beautiful work to the table and deliver the story of how my journey as an artist began,” Hollowell says.

His work on the soon-to-open Clayton Members Club in Denver did exactly that. With a mixture of previous work and brand-new features, Hollowell’s goal was to wow his audience with cutting-edge work. Incorporating Black life and art into the walls of a historically one-dimensional experience was important to the founders of the Clayton Club and Brien’s photography brings to life the everyday and extraordinary.

Art has the ability to make people experience the world in a new way and challenge their perspectives. Take the Don’t Hide mural installation at 14th & Stout for instance. Housed along Denver’s theater district, the expansive installation is the largest mural ever created by renowned street artist Shantell Martin and tells the story of the process, creating a piece with no defined beginning or end.

When looking at art for your organization, remember to consider more than just the interior walls. A parking garage, exterior wall, or even a fence can make for a unique art experience.

Embrace the lessons in history and storytelling

Art tells a story and shapes our views of the world. For Kendra Dandy, the artist behind some of the vibrant works at the forthcoming Catbird Hotel in Denver, art gives insight into the lived experience.

“Being a Black artist means being able to express my creativity through a unique perspective due to what we’ve experienced in our lives and through our culture,” says Dandy.

There are many ways to embrace history and diversity when it comes to your immersive artworks. There’s no better place to start than with the artists themselves. At NINE dot ARTS, clients are often told that it’s easy to hang art on the walls. But having an artist articulate their inspiration allows viewers to understand the vision and connect with the history and experience of the piece.

Another way is to incorporate local artifacts and regional significance into art design. Find ways to embrace the culture of your space and the community you serve. Even the most historic areas can benefit from an immersive art experience.

Creating narrative events is also important in telling the story of your project, the local community, and the artist’s experiences. In Martin’s “Don’t Mind. You + Me” bench sculpture, a message of togetherness springs forth from her design through bold, yet straightforward words and her trademark style of black and white drawings. As a self-described “cultural facilitator,” Martin emphasizes the way colors, shapes, philosophies, and identities are intertwined, chronicling the connected paths of us all.

Bring the right voices to the table

Inclusion and diversity begin with the understanding that life is viewed from a myriad of perspectives. By bringing different voices to the table, you directly address the deficits in your way of thinking and doing business. It gives you a fuller, multi-faceted view of the world.

As you begin to create immersive art experiences, don’t just focus on the message you’re hoping will connect with your audience. Focus also on who should deliver that message.

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation knows firsthand the importance of art. As one of the leading arts funding foundations in Denver, they wanted their new space to express the beauty of the local arts community they support. Critical to this endeavor was the use of multiple, diverse voices from established and emerging local artists. They even created a bilingual curatorial packet of the art collection for non-English speaking visitors to the space.

This is just one example of how an inclusive art experience can enable important and valuable perspectives. Yet sadly, diversity is often not thought of when it comes to art projects.

“It’s only recently that institutions across the country have exhibited and collected the work of Black artists in significant numbers,” says Floyd Tunson, the artist behind multiple pieces at The Elizabeth Hotel. “As art centers become more inclusive, they’ll be better for it.”

This kind of inclusion doesn’t only impact the audience. Inclusion matters to up and coming artists looking to see their faces and voices reflected. “When I started as a photographer in Denver, I didn’t have any Black artist role models locally,” says Hollowell. “However, in New York, I was surrounded by many talented Black photographers. The things I learned there allowed me to pioneer my way here.”

It’s time to embrace diversity in art

Art brings heart to an organization. It provides eye-opening opportunities to have important conversations about race, history, and power. It requires multiple voices and vulnerable, honest communication.

This all begins with more representation for artists of color and increased support. “In the commercial art world, Black artists, except for a very few, fall behind when it comes to commanding top prices for top-level work,” says Tunson.

Yet, he is hopeful this will soon change. And for NINE dot ARTS, we believe it must. The more diversity you have, the more you realize the truth of the world. And art can be the catalyst to make sure that story is told.

About the Author: Martha Weidmann, CEO, and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS

Martha’s deep understanding of the art business and tenacious drive for business success is something all her own. As CEO and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS, Martha oversees all business operations and is basically our head cheerleader and evangelist to the world. Martha graduated from Colorado State University with a dual major – Communications and Fine Arts. She started her career with Walker Fine Art gallery in Denver, then moved on to the most prestigious art consulting firm (at the time) in the region, McGrath and Braun, from which NINE dot ARTS was born.

The post History and Diversity: Creating Immersive Experiences Using Community Collaboration appeared first on Art Business News.