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SmART Durham

Transforming Downtown Durham into a major regional destination for art, culture and entertainment. 

Durham is one of the North Carolina Arts Council’s eight SmART Communities, demonstrating how the arts transform downtowns and build sustainable economic development.

The SmART Vision Plan reimagines the rapidly-transforming Blackwell, Corcoran, and Foster Street north/south corridor as a vibrant arts and entertainment district that reflects the city’s unique character.

The plan concepts, when implemented, will connect arts and cultural asset “hub” areas in downtown Durham through creative placemaking with public art, wayfinding, pedestrian amenities, program overlays, and exciting lighting and urban landscape design.

Corcoran Garage Art Wrap concept by artist Olalekan Jeyifous. © 2017 Olalekan Jeyifous. All Rights Reserved

Corcoran Garage Art Wrap concept by artist Olalekan Jeyifous. © 2017 Olalekan Jeyifous. All Rights Reserved

Graphic hand element from Corcoran Garage Art Wrap concept © 2017 Olalekan Jeyifous. All Rights Reserved

Graphic hand element from Corcoran Garage Art Wrap concept © 2017 Olalekan Jeyifous. All Rights Reserved

Image of “Back Porch” concept area at Ramseur/Corcoran Streets from SmART Vision Plan. © 2017 Olalekan Jeyifous. All Rights Reserved

Image of “Back Porch” concept area at Ramseur/Corcoran Streets from SmART Vision Plan. © 2017 Olalekan Jeyifous. All Rights Reserved

“The Durham SmART Program is utilizing the best practices of Public Art to engage our community, highlight exciting artistic talent, and leverage the strengths of local, regional, state, and national partners as we work together to implement an amazing multi-year SmART Vision Plan.

We are proud to be one of 8 selected communities to participate in the North Carolina Arts Council’s statewide SmART Program which supports the transformation of downtowns through arts-driven economic development.”
— Steve Schewel, Mayor, City of Durham
“Realizing this Vision Plan will take Durham to the next level as a vibrant cultural destination and will enhance the pedestrian experience and connectivity between major cultural, entertainment and business assets in our downtown district.”
— Former City of Durham Mayor, William V. “Bill” Bell.

 

Creating arts-driven economic development through creative placemaking

“We are thrilled to be selected as one of the first SmART Communities in the state.  The pilot program grants from North Carolina Arts Council and the NEA “Our Town” grant provide the planning resources and initial project funding that will help DAC and all the project partners develop innovative components to enliven and connect all areas of downtown Durham through the arts.” 

- Sherry DeVries, Executive Director of the Durham Arts Council.  Lead local agency for SmART Durham Projects

 
 
 
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