Urban Artist Exchange

Youth Apprentice along with Director Tracie Currie, Photo Credit - Amir Campbell

What is the Urban Artist Exchange?

The Urban Artist Exchange (UAE) is Wilmington’s first major “Creative Placemaking” project. The term Creative Placemaking has been defined as “the use of arts and culture by diverse partners to strategically shape the physical and social character of a place in order to spur economic development, promote enduring social change, and improve the physical environment.” The UAE is located at 1500 Walnut Street in Wilmington’s East Side Historic District, one of the city’s traditional African-American communities.

Phase I of the project involved the conversion of the decades-long abandoned Wilmington Police Department horse stables into eight art-creation and teaching studios, and a group exhibition/gathering area. At right, students from Cityfest's Youth Apprenticeship Arts Work Program pose next to a mural they created with artist Amir “Amiracle” Campbell. For more details, see video below.

Future phases of the UAE are envisioned to include an open-seat amphitheater with an integrated wastewater management system, an outdoor public art exhibition, and environmentally sustainable landscaping.