The LA Arts Initiative

What is the LA Arts Initiative?

The LA Arts Initiative is an initiative developed by Art/Space 114 to create affordable, sustainable spaces for artists while activating long-underutilized retail spaces across Downtown. Developed in partnership with Downtown Works and in collaboration with the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles and Council District 14, the initiative brings together artists, property owners, civic partners, and the Downtown Los Angeles community to transform vacant and underutilized storefronts into arts-based businesses, including artist-run studios, galleries, and creative spaces.

Art/Space 114 leads the initiative by identifying participating artists and working with Downtown property owners to match them with available spaces. During the first year of each agreement, Art/Space 114 holds the lease on behalf of the participating artist, providing a year long, rent-free period in which they can establish their practice in the space. At the end of that period, the artist transitions to a direct lease with the property owner at a predetermined below-market rate, increasing incrementally toward market rate over a number of years. This model is designed to create a pathway to long-term, sustainable artist occupancy while bringing underutilized properties back into productive use. The inaugural project at 545 S. Main St. is a collaboration between artist Charlie Alston and property owner Bruce Silverman.