The City of Vancouver approved a DTES Matching Grant for HxBIA to launch the Hastings Crossing Placemaking Initiative, and we are looking for HxBIA businesses and properties who want to beautify and animate their space, as well as artists, muralists, and community organizations who want to showcase their work!
Hastings Crossing BIA is unique in that it occupies a large portion of the DTES and is a literal and metaphorical crossroads of the city. Hastings Street can be a vibrant, active street and its many crossroads provide thoroughfares for pedestrians traveling to and from Gastown and Chinatown. We recognize the need for a more strategic approach to placemaking in HxBIA, and have designed our goals for this project specifically to be strategic and proactive including:
- Fill empty storefronts through pop-up events, installation of art, and beautification of the area. This includes locations of chronic graffiti and blocks with chronically vacant storefronts.
- Enhance the perception of safety and welcomeness in HxBIA.
- Provide economic opportunities for local residents, artists, and organizations to participate in placemaking in HxBIA, including those from the urban Indigenous community.
- Provide a better experience when visiting HxBIA through enhanced wayfinding, lighting, and activity in the area.
Below find some of the Proposed activities for this initiative include, but are not limited to:
- Murals
- Vinyl window art/installations
- Other creative installations on chain-link fencing or other under utilized surfaces
- Vacant storefront activations (including local art and lighting installations)
- Laneway or plaza activations (including ones that celebrate and highlight local world-class graffiti)
- Vacant storefront pop-up events/markets
Complete the respective form in the link below if you want to be a part of this!
Please complete this form if you are an HxBIA business or property interested in being a part of this work and/or have a creative idea for community-driven placemaking in HxBIA! We will do our best to match potential artists and projects to your space!
Artist, muralist, and community organizations please complete this form if you are interested in being a part of this work and/or have a creative idea for community-driven placemaking in HxBIA!
