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.

Project Funding

Funding for this project is derived from the City's Five Percent for Art Program, which allocates five percent of capital funding for the purpose of providing ornamentation, such as sculpture and artwork, on certain eligible capital projects involving public buildings or structures.

Total Estimated Cost of Project: $1.3 million

Phase I Expected Completion Date: Complete

Phase II Expected Completion Date: Fall 2022