This foundation runs a really great program that allows student artists to decorate doorways throughout the downtown area. The program enlivens the streetscape and celebrates youthful creativity. A double win. Nine years going, it has attracted the support of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Check out some of the really beautiful art: http://sjdowntown.com/Downtown_Doors/
Over 1.8 million nonprofits and charities for donors, volunteers and funders
524 Pageviews Read Stories
- EIN 77-0395206
- (408) 279-1775
- 28 N 1st St Ste 1000 San Jose CA 95113-1230 USA
- www.sjdowntown.com
- Add to Favorites
Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Community & Neighborhood Development, Economic Development
Mission: - promote cultural awareness to the residents of the city of san jose, the county of santa clara and to the greater bay area in the state of california;- provide educational materials, programs and information regarding downtown san jose with emphasis on services, activities and cultural programs available to the public;- encourage cultural diversity and access through the production of free events, programs and concerts. - build coalitions among government, residents, business and property owners and other active civic and nonprofit organizations that strengthen the cultural offerings of downtown san jose for the benefit of the general public.
Programs: The san jose downtown foundation advances a vibrant downtown by fostering cultural awareness and community participation through arts and beautification programs. Core values include being inclusive and open; valuing creativity and quality; working collaboratively; committing to the success of programs supported by sjdf; and having an enterprising spirit. Downtown doors, an internationally recognized art exhibit/competition, is the foundation's primary project and enlivens the downtown san jose landscape for hundreds of thousands of passersby. Each winter, middle-/high-school artists work with teachers - in a character-building exercise that also enables them to develop artistic skills, learn about art as business, and understand the impact of public art on urban spaces - to create art meant to fit onto otherwise stark single- and double-paneled service doors, the kind required for fire codes in large commercial buildings. The art is judged early spring; selected pieces are transferred in may to vinyl decals covering doors located in high-pedestrian areas. The art is featured several years before being replaced. The program has grown from 4 sites in 2003 to 103 in 2016, 1 school to 24, and 8 submissions per year to average of 160. In 13 years, this simple but impactful program will have exhibited over 234 different works.