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Project Storefronts Receives Award

by David Brensilver | May 23, 2011 3:42 pm

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Photo courtesy of NEFA Project Storefronts, an initiative conceived and managed by the City of New Haven’s Department of Cultural Affairs and supported by the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven, was one of two organizations to receive a Creative Economy Award on Friday from the New England Foundation for the Arts. The Vermont-based Rockingham Arts & Museum Project, which is directed by Robert McBride, also received an award. Each organization received $3,500 during an event at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 

 

Barbara Lamb, director of New Haven’s Department of Cultural Affairs, said in an e-mail, “Project Storefronts is an incredible tool for expanding the city’s creative economy in several ways. Not only do we work with artists who have an entrepreneurial streak and may not know how to get started in developing a business, but once in place, the projects facilitate the growth of creativity and awareness of how the arts contribute to the local economy while driving foot traffic into underutilized commercial districts. The new businesses that are percolating up out of the Project Storefronts concept enlarge the creative sphere beyond the arts to incorporate elements from the philanthropic, science, and design worlds, as well.”

Project Storefronts was officially launched on August 31, 2010, with $30,000 in funding from the EDC. The Department of Cultural Affairs entered into a 90-day cost-free lease with Related Properties for the use of property at 71 Orange St. Participating businesses included the gallery/workshop space Upcycle Arts, which was home to the local crafters group Elm City Handmade and an Etsy “street team”; the pop-up gallery Crosby Street Presents; the curated bookstore Detritus; and the “coworking” space The Grove, which continues to operate on its own.

Project Storefronts has leased properties at 55 Church St. and 100 Crown St. and is accepting applications from “creative entrepreneurs.” Applications are being received by Margaret Bodell, New Haven’s public art coordinator and Project Storefronts manager.

 

 

 

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posted by: Bill Saunders on May 23, 2011  5:21pm

This project always sounds so philanthropic and artist oriented.

In reality,of the fifty grand that went into this project, 42k went into the pockets of administrators, and 8k into the project itself.
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