What if? Idea
What if we incentivized property owners with empty storefronts to temporarily support new social businesses/micro-entrepreneur while they test their ideas?
Current Status
Iterating: A Social Innovation Fellowship, supported by a partnership between MacEwan University, University of Alberta, Mitacs Canada, and Arts Habitat.
The first iteration activated the Great Western Garment building, through storefront exhibits by local artists from iHuman and the Indigenous Arts Movement of EndPovertyEdmonton.
In the second iteration, the research fellow is surveying and tracking vacant lots and properties in downtown neighbourhoods in an inventory, as well as exploring tools and recommendations to make it easier for property owners to lease space on a short-term basis and for artists to access these resources.
Learn more about the research in the resulting handbook, Activating Empty Storefronts, prepared by the Social Innovation Fellowship.