The Rotary Club of Akron, during our Tuesday, October 25th meeting, had the opportunity to listen to one of our fellow Rotarians present a unique idea that has blossomed in Akron.
The Curated Storefront was initiated by Rick Rogers. Through Rick's leadership, The Curated Storefront has successfully secured and managed funds to launch an impressive array of installations in downtown Akron. Rick is also responsible for negotiating the use of vacant storefronts and maintaining healthy relations with property owners, who have generously donated their spaces.
To get a true sense of the impact and importance of the Curated Storefront endeavor, I encourage you to view the presentation (click here) to gain a better appreciation of the impact the curated
storefronts have had on downtown Akron.
storefronts have had on downtown Akron.Why the Curated Storefront?
“The Curated Storefront nurtures a thriving cultural ecosystem in Akron by fueling artistic innovation, commissioning public art, expanding access to arts education, and stimulating economic growth.
Curated Storefront activates storefronts by transforming an unoccupied and uninteresting street edge into vibrant art displays to combat blight and create an engaging, safe, and attractive environment.
- Exhibits can be seen in multiple buildings in Downtown Akron including: The Polsky Building, O’Neil Building, County Building, Bounce Innovation Hub, The Gothic Building (former City Center Hotel).
- Existence of Avant Garden Artist Studio Spaces - Located at the Bounce Innovation Hub.
- Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders Pop-Up Museum – Located in the University of Akron’s Polsky Building.
- Outside the Box Shipping Container Murals – Located in the Northside District.
- Curated Courthouse – Located in the Summit County Probate Court (209 S. High Street).
- National Endowment for the Arts in Cuyahoga Falls.”
What Impact Has the Curated Storefront Had on Our Community?
- 29 spaces have been activated with art exhibits
- 118 exhibits were installed in Akron
- 165 artists have been featured and compensated for their work
- 13 buildings have been revitalized for developed after programming
Over 3,000 individuals have participated in art-based activities, guided educational tours and virtual live-stream events since the start of Curated Storefronts.
Creating a clean, attractive and brightly lit space gives potential renters and tenants the idea that each empty storefront is a viable option for their business in downtown Akron.”
Rick shared a quote from Jane Jacobs and her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, “Streets and their sidewalks, the main public spaces of a city, are its most vital organs. Think of a city and what comes to mind? Its streets. If a city’s streets look interesting, the city looks interesting; if they look dull, the city looks dull.”
To check out where many of these Curated Storefronts are located, check out the website at www.CuratedStorefront.org
Terry Dalton
Akron Club Secretary and Foundation Chair
