Storefronts- New Arts Program seeks Artists, Designers and Property Owners

By Staff
Imagine downtown Winston-Salem as a giant storybook. That is the vision of a new program by Associated Artists called Storefronts Winston-Salem. This program will commission artists and designers to create vibrant art installations for vacant or underused storefront windows. They are also looking for property owners and business owners interested in receiving one of these installations. The goal is to install a new series of at least six windows at different locations every three months. Each series will have a different theme. The unveiling of the first series will coordinate with this year’s annual Bookmarks Festival, which is where the idea of turning storefront windows into pages from a giant storybook comes in.

Organizers say that this program will reach out to people who may not typically attend visual arts activities. It also gives artists and designers a unique opportunity to create artwork on a larger scale and for a more public venue.

The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership is very supportive of the new program. Similar programs in Seattle, San Francisco, Durham, and Chapel Hill have shown that there are also benefits to the business community. The installations attract more foot traffic and help improve the appearance of downtowns. Studies indicate that installations in vacant storefronts have a positive impact on properties available for lease by increasing visibility for those properties.

Information sessions will be held on Thursday, June 26 at 5:30 pm and Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 pm in the Conference Room on the main level of the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts at 251 N. Spruce Street in Winston-Salem. Information is also available HERE or (336/747-1463.

There is no charge to property owners or business owners to participate in the program. Artists whose work is selected will receive a stipend of $250 per window. Deadline is July 31 for artist entries for the storybook-themed installations. The program is open to residents of North Carolina. A Call for Entries is on the website.

The first series of installations is funded in part by a grant from the John W. and Anna H. Hanes Foundation. Associated Artists receives annual operating support from the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.