ABOUT
CITY OF CREATORS is a public art initiative that activates vacant storefronts in Downtown Newark by transforming empty retail spaces into temporary sites for art, storytelling, and community engagement. Partners include Invest Newark, the Newark Urban Enterprise Zone, the City of Newark Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Newark Downtown District, Newark Alliance, the Newark Arts & Education District, and Project for Empty Space.
Through window-based installations, the initiative connects artists, small businesses, and neighborhood narratives, reframing vacant storefronts as spaces of visibility, creativity, and opportunity.
CITY OF CREATORS is part of the broader “Kick It in Newark” campaign, a citywide effort to activate Newark throughout FIFA World Cup 2026™ and beyond. The initiative positions public art not as decoration, but as part of a larger creative ecosystem that supports artists, residents, and local businesses alike.
At its core, the program operates as a Creative Impact Ecosystem: artists activate shared spaces, attract visitors, and contribute to the everyday rhythm of neighborhood life. That increased activity supports nearby businesses, strengthens community connections, and helps keep resources circulating locally—creating ongoing opportunities for artists and creative work to thrive.
Thematic installations highlight interconnected aspects of Newark life, including food and restaurants, arts and cultural venues, architecture and design, beauty and fashion, education and youth development, music and dance, recreation, and community gathering spaces. Together, these themes create a layered portrait of Newark’s creative, cultural, and entrepreneurial identity.
Each installation will feature a QR code linking visitors to “5 Within 5 Minutes,” a curated directory of nearby businesses and destinations within a five-minute walk. By turning every storefront into a gateway for neighborhood exploration, the initiative connects visitors to Downtown Newark’s restaurants, retail, services, and cultural spaces.
PROJECT PARTNERS
The Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs serves as a catalyst for participation, education, collaboration, and development to encourage and support excellence in the arts within the City of Newark. The division oversees the City’s arts initiatives and fosters community engagement in arts and cultural programming and events throughout Newark. It provides organizational support to both established and emerging arts institutions, develops a world-class public art program, and encourages collaborative partnerships and investment in the City’s artists and cultural organizations. Through this work, the division advances a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive creative economy that enlivens neighborhoods and inspires the imaginations of Newark’s children.
Learn More at newarknj.gov/273/Division-of-Arts-Cultural-Affairs
Invest Newark is the City of Newark’s Economic Development Corporation. The organization propels the city’s strong and diverse economy, builds vibrant communities, and creates opportunities for all Newarkers. Invest Newark supports small, women-, and minority-owned businesses, invests in world-class internet service, spurs real estate development, and leads economic development initiatives designed to drive sustainable growth, generate jobs, and create wealth for the residents of Newark. Its mission is to advance economic prosperity for all Newarkers.
Learn more at investnewark.org
The Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Program was created to foster an economic climate to revitalize designated urban communities and stimulate their growth by encouraging businesses to develop and create private sector jobs through public and private investment. Certified commercial businesses within the Newark UEZ district can benefit from UEZ incentives. With every dollar spent at eligible Newark UEZ businesses, 3.3125% of the sales tax collected is invested back into the local community through special projects. These reinvestment projects may include: Facade & Signage Grants, Special Events, Business Recruitment and Retention Initiatives, Streetscape Maintenance & Improvements. In Newark, the UEZ is administered by Invest Newark.
Learn more at investnewark.org/business-development-urban-enterprise-zone
Project for Empty Space (PES) is a multifaceted arts organization that includes Exhibitions, Artists Residencies, Public Art initiatives, subsidized Artist Studios, and Artist Professional Development/Granting opportunities. Our programs lean into social discourse, including narratives that have been historically and systemically erased. We strive to course-correct historic instances of forced marginality, in-equity, and in-visibility. Today, in our efforts to support socially-oriented artists, we maintain a commitment to holding space for both looking back and looking to new potentials and futures.
Learn more at projectforemptyspace.org
The Newark Alliance harnesses the collective strength and collaboration of its Members to drive inclusive economic growth that expands opportunity, strengthens communities, and builds lasting prosperity for all. Together, we are working to cement Newark’s status as one of America’s most diverse, prosperous, dynamic, and equitable cities — a national model where innovation thrives, opportunity is accessible to every resident, and inclusive growth fuels shared success across every neighborhood.
Learn more at newark-alliance.org, dowtownnewark.com, newarkhappening.com
Location partners include Paramount Assets, RBH Group, Hanini Group, and Prudential Financial, Inc., all of whom are supporting ongoing downtown revitalization efforts. Installation support was provided by Go Metro Pro.