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1 , PROJECT BACKQ md~ I 1. PROTECT BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW Phantom Galleries San Jose is a project that was created by Two Fish Design with the support of the San Jose Redevelopment Agency (SJRA) and the San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA), to enliven the numerous vacant storefronts of downtown San Jose, with creative colorful art exhibits provided by local artists. All exhibits and/or installations are encouraged to be fully experienced from the side- walk. Although downtown San Jose has established visual and performance art institutions, restaurants and entertainment venues positioned between corporate towers of international businesses, there are little exhibit opportunities for local artists due to a shortage of resources and lack of venues for local andlor emerging artists. In contrast to the bustling atmosphere of daily business downtown 00,000 day office workers), there are blocks of vacant storefronts due to (a.) the economic downturn, and/or (b.) URM issues with the buildings, that line major arteries of pedestrian and motor traffic through the downtown core. San Jose is thought of as the tech capital of the nation which, at times, over shadows the creative spirit that thrives here. In the wake of the tech bust and economic downturn, we thought it a perfect time to look to the artists to utilize their creativity to add some color and magic to our downtown and they, in return, gain exposure and relevant experience through these bi-monthly exhibits. Phantom Galleries is made possible through the unique relationship of city government (funding and administrative), building owners (providing space free of charge), resident artists (providing exhibits). independent producers (cultivating and coordinating the project) and the downtown community (experiences pride in their downtown and a familiarity to the talent that resides in their city). The par- ties involved are working together in an unprecedented manner that makes this program foster the true P9tential of a vibrant experience to the downtown core, Individual owners were contacted and asked to participate in the Phantom Galleries program. We began with 4 locations that could provide up to 9 artists' exhibits within close proximity of each other to create an immediate sense of critical mass. After a few months, we obtained 7 more locations with exhibit spaces to accommodate up to 9 more artists, Individual artists, grass roots collectives, non-profit art organizations and youth art programs were contacted and invited to participate through a simple application process and chosen by the produc- ers based upon the applicants' proposal. Exhibits are then coordinated with an appropriate location to house the exhibition. Our primalY mission is to create a unique experience to our downtown that cannot be duplicated at the mega-mall two miles west of our downtown, Our idea was to utilize spaces that are not thought of as "usable" space (some have the appearance of abandonment or are in the velY early stages of development). We saw these vacant buildings as "alternative art spaces" for local artists. As of 2006, we have since "lost" many vacant spaces due to a development boom in the downtown core. We have remained vital to the civic and artistic communities by finding other opportunities. We