ULI Tampa Bay has proudly secured its position as the latest addition to the global cohort of ULI national and district councils participating in Art in Place, an 18-month ULI program designed to bridge the gap between artists, developers, and local communities. The mission of Art in Place is to shape more equitable and participatory outcomes in real estate development.
The nine participating teams are geographically dispersed with some focused at the city level while others are state-based. Each was selected as the result of a competitive application process, which brought together an impressive array of talent and expertise. Participating district councils in the U.S. include ULI Austin, ULI Cleveland, ULI Indiana, ULI Louisiana, ULI NW Arkansas, and ULI Tampa Bay. National councils help to extend the program influence globally through ULI France, ULI Germany, and ULI Hong Kong.
“ULI Tampa Bay is thrilled to be part of Art in Place,” said Taylor Ralph, founder and president, of Tampa-based REAL Building Consultants. “As our region continues to be one of the top regions for real estate investment in the U.S., as recognized by the ULI/PWC Emerging Trends report, we must ensure that our quality of life, culture, and arts community are respected, elevated, and invested in for the long-term benefit of our diverse population. ULI Tampa Bay’s engagement with the global cohort district and national councils will help us learn best practices and develop the tools necessary to support that reality.”
ULI Tampa Bay joins Art in Place at the program’s halfway point. Since its launch at the ULI 2022 Fall Meeting in Dallas, teams have been actively involved in organizing an array of local events and activities. Each shares the goal of strengthening connections between artists, creatives, and real estate professionals. The overall expectation is to elevate art and culture as central considerations in real estate decision-making.
“Tampa Bay’s arts ecosystem is innovative and diverse. Numerous artists and arts organizations are working together to ensure that the arts industry is recognized as an essential component of infrastructure, said Michele Smith, executive director, Tampa Arts Alliance. “Being accepted into ULI’s Art in Place program lends significant support to these efforts by connecting us with counterparts internationally to share best practices for fostering healthy connections, creatively activating spaces, and building systems for collaboration across industry sectors.”
As Art in Place continues to evolve, the lessons learned from this collaborative venture will be showcased at ULI’s Spring Meeting in New York taking place in April 2024. Additionally, program insights and innovations will be shared globally via a ULI Global Webinar in late Spring 2024.
“Art in Place is set to elevate ULI’s influence in our region. ULI Tampa Bay boasts an impressive history of successfully executing Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs) and boosting member engagement through new local Product Councils. With Art in Place, we have a fresh opportunity to further engage our community through engaging visual and cultural collaborations,” explained Keith Greminger, principal of planning and urban design at Stantec.
“It is fitting that ULI Tampa Bay is the final addition to the Art in Place cohort. Beyond aesthetics, Art in Place is dedicated to forging inclusive, dynamic, and resilient communities for all. Tampa’s collaboration with the Tampa Arts Alliance, City of Tampa, and Tampa Downtown Partnership to reimagine the Marion Street corridor aligns perfectly with this program’s overall vision,” underscored William Herbig, ULI senior director and project manager for Art in Place.
Art in Place represents a significant milestone in ULI’s enduring commitment to Creative Placemaking, a philosophy that recognizes the transformative power of art and culture in shaping vibrant communities. This ambitious program has been made possible through the generous support of former ULI Global Governing Trustee and ULI Foundation Julia Morgan Society member, Michael Spies. Learn more at uli.org/creativeplacemaking
