We understand that art exhibits may seem off-limits to the uninitiated. And in turn, the average person may feel locked out of their own creativity. To root art making in reality, every year we invite local artists of color to create public art projects in and/or around their neighborhood coin-ops through our Create Change program. To date our projects have taken place in Brooklyn, Harlem, and Queens. Click on one of the Program Cycles on the right to see profiles of past artists and projects.

Further recognizing that working in new spaces and contexts may be a challenge for even the most seasoned artist, the Create Change program not only offers commissioning funds for new public works, but also professional development and moral support. Through a series of "public art potlucks" artists are able to form peer networks, receive mentorship and technical assistance from a wide range of artists and art professionals, as well as learn new skills sets ranging from oral history collection to sustaining a career in community based art making.

If you are interested in applying to participate in the Create Change program, you can download our call for proposals at the right and review Frequently Asked Questions.