City of Creators

Explore dozens of temporary public art installations by local artists, each reflecting narratives central to their ongoing practice and local communities. Works are concentrated in Downtown Newark along Mayor Kenneth Gibson Blvd, Raymond Blvd, and Market St, highlighting neighborhood stories.

ABOUT CITY OF CREATORS

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.