Treat Place

The Four Corners Public Arts (FCPA) Program, a unique public-private partnership, revitalized the historic Four Corners District in downtown Newark, NJ, during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued through the summer of 2023. Led by leaders from the City, Newark Arts, Newark Downtown District, Invest Newark, and two real estate development firms, RBH Group and Paramount Assets, the initiative responded to retailers’ concerns about the neglected alleyway known as Treat Place. Located near Broad Street, Newark’s main thoroughfare, Treat Place had been in a state of disrepair, prompting the group to hire Rebecca Pauline Jampol, Co-Director of Project for Public Space, to curate a collaborative and inclusive project with a budget of $350,000.

The FCPA program drew over a thousand participants and gained local and national attention for its creativity and inclusiveness. The initiative began with community engagement meetings, public programs, and an artist selection process, resulting in the completion of fourteen murals on Treat Place and surrounding streets. These efforts also improved streetscapes, enhanced safety with better street lighting, and encouraged local retailers to engage more actively with the newly revitalized space. The program offered numerous opportunities for community involvement, including direct collaboration, mentorship, and participation from local schools, making it a truly inclusive endeavor.

As the pandemic forced downtown corporations to close their offices, public art became a way for the community to safely convene, collaborate, and heal. Local artists addressed unsanctioned graffiti and illegal dumping, while various arts initiatives provided paid opportunities for artists and allowed the community to engage in meaningful ways. The program’s final stages focused on programming Treat Place as an immersive marketplace, featuring events centered around justice, healing, and service. These included partnerships with justice-focused arts organizations, live music, food justice initiatives, and opportunities for hands-on art-making.

FCPA transformed Treat Place into a vibrant public space, fostering a new sense of community through partnership, diversity, and inclusiveness. Once a neglected alley, Treat Place became a hub for cultural celebrations, commerce, and spontaneous gatherings. The program’s success contributed to local economic growth and improved the quality of life for those living and working in the neighborhood. FCPA has since become a model for neighborhood-focused arts projects, driving economic development, tourism, and public safety in downtown Newark.

Learn more by visiting: https://www.fourcornerspublicarts.org