The Arts Council of New Westminster is exploring ways of enhancing the streetscape in the Royal City.
Rick Carswell, president of the arts council, said the council is exploring the concept of filling vacant commercial spaces with art, either static displays or events based around artwork.
"We haven't really fleshed it out," he recently told city council "The concept is there."
Carswell said the initiative could potentially require the city's support because permits may be required to use the space.
"We think it's an excellent project," he said.
Coun. Jonathan Cote, who recently wrote a report on reviving New Westminster's main streets as part of an urban studies project at university, said it's a "really interesting idea" that warrants consideration. He said empty storefronts are one of the more negative detriments to any mainstreet area.
Carswell said the proposal aims to make New Westminster's streetscape more vibrant using art.
"The essence of this is really to dress up that store space," he said.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr served council with a notice of motion that the City of New Westminster support the storefront imitative that would place art work in the windows of temporarily vacant store fronts, and assist organizers in identifying owners of the vacant store fronts. Council will consider the notice of motion at its Feb. 18 meeting.
