Art for Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday!

The Art Thing Collaborative, Inc. is a social arts organization dedicated to transforming towns into communities through the power of art. We partner with neighborhoods to create and share a wide range of public “Art Things”—from community art installations, artistic experiences, to inclusive arts programming and services—enhancing quality of life by bringing people together thru creativity and supporting art’s vital role in community life.

Our vision includes:

(1) building a wide-scale network of public art installations that celebrate each community’s unique spirit;

(2) creating open-access art hubs where people can come together to make and enjoy art; and

(3) delivering inclusive, community-centered programs and opportunities that make art accessible to all

At The Art Thing, we believe art is essential and deeply connected to community living and identity. So, we’re on a mission to reintegrate art back into our communities and make it an accessible part of daily, interconnected living for everyone, everywhere, everyday!

How we’re bringing art back to life:

  1. Collaborate with Communities to Make and Install Public "Art Things":
    We’ll team up with community members, artists, and organizations to create one-of-a-kind, community-driven social art installations—what we call "Art Things." These installations will reflect and celebrate the unique identities, cultures, and stories of the communities where they’re created. These “Art Things” will be placed in accessible public spaces in the towns where they’re made, becoming an integral part of the communities they represent.

  2. Offer Social Art Programs and Experiences:
    We’ll create and offer fun and meaningful social art programs, workshops, and events where people can come together for creative learning, sharing, and connecting. These opportunities will be tailored to meet the unique needs and interests of each community, making sure they’re welcoming and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

  3. Create Community “Art Hubs”:
    We’ll transform available spaces into open and inclusive places where people of all ages and abilities can explore, create, and connect through art. Like a “YMCA for the Arts,” these hubs will offer studio access, artistic experiences, accessible programming, and vital resources to continually support connection through creativity in the communities we serve.

  4. Build a Public Social Art Network:
    We’ll interconnect these “Art Things” and “Art Hubs” to form a free, open-air social art “museum” network that spans the region and beyond. This network will link the towns we serve to a broader community, creating greater opportunities for intercommunity connection and collaboration.