Site Research + Community Mapping

Creating public art in shared spaces can be complex and overwhelming as these spaces are embedded within localities by more than their physical qualities. At Negative Space, we lead a participatory research practice that builds geographic and cultural knowledge, and encompasses a site’s history, environment, personality, and everyday people. We believe that investing in the local community’s offerings as part of the development process is key to a sustainable practice. We’re enthusiastic about connecting artists with local communities, and we also provide inclusive, symbiotic workshop development if an artist opts for deeper community engagements.

Project Management + Execution

We pride ourselves on our project management support and work collaboratively with artists at all levels in their careers and experience, and at any stage of a project. Negative Space takes care of all project phases including but not limited to: project design; materiality research; and the coordination of prototyping, fabrication, installation, and deinstallation—from consulting in the pre-conceptual phase and strategizing and refining design through an approval process, to representing the artist’s vision during the fabrication process and ensuring installation plans are carried out as well as managing all stakeholders’ understanding and expectations.

Vendor Management

Building a team of suitable vendors that aligns with the artist’s idea, the local communities, and the public art project is important to us. When collaborating with Negative Space, an artist team will have access to a diverse roster of vendors and shops across all disciplines. From an early stage, we integrate the artist's workflow with a clear scope and timeline of deliverables for fabricators and vendors. And once a subcontractor is officially hired, we serve as a liaison between artist and fabricators to ensure a smooth process on a technical level. With experience working directly and seamlessly with architects, designers, structural engineers, technicians, and fabrication shops, we’re equipped with the expertise necessary for art handling and installation needs and can work across various media.