Curated Storefront
Curated Storefront is a non-profit arts organization that activates vacant storefronts and public spaces in downtown Akron, Ohio through curated exhibitions, large-scale commissions, and a museum, serving local artists, residents, and visitors via free programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersAkron, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Curated Storefront does
Curated Storefront is a non-profit arts organization founded in 2016 by Rick Rogers in Akron, Ohio, that transforms vacant storefronts and underutilized public spaces in downtown Akron into curated art exhibitions and installations. The organization operates a portfolio of nine core programs: the Akron's Contemporary Arts District (rotating storefront windows and murals), Outside the Box (shipping container installations at TrueNorth Akron's Northside District) with the INSIDE residency sub-program, Curated Storefront Studios (gallery space at Bounce Innovation Hub), Special Projects (large-scale commissions such as the Chakaia Booker sculpture at Lock 3 Park and Peeta's Urban Mirage mural at the Akron Civic Theatre), the World of Wonders museum stewarding Clayton Bailey's collection, the Curated Courthouse partnership with Summit County Probate Court, the Visiting Artist Program at the I Promise School, and the FRONT Triennial galleries at Quaker Square (2022). Underlying operations are place-based rather than technology-based: the organization relies on property-owner partnerships for free or low-cost venues, an open-call artist proposal process reviewed quarterly, and honorariums for selected artists.
The organization's revenue model is that of a grant- and donation-funded non-profit. Free admission is offered to all exhibitions, with funding sourced from individual donations (processed via Stripe), foundation grants (Knight Foundation, VIA Art Fund, Akron Community Foundation, GAR Foundation, Ohio Arts Council), corporate sponsorships, and the annual Revelry for a Cause gala. Customer segments are predominantly the Akron community (general public), local and regional artists, downtown Akron as a geography, and secondary constituents including property owners and county government. The organization has 1–10 employees, reports no disclosed revenue, and operates as a privately held non-profit with no parent company or institutional ownership.
Curated Storefront firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Curated Storefront
- Legal name
- Curated Storefront
- Website
- https://curatedstorefront.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Curated Storefront is a non-profit arts organization that activates vacant storefronts and public spaces in downtown Akron, Ohio through curated exhibitions, large-scale commissions, and a museum, serving local artists, residents, and visitors via free programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Curated Storefront industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Art and Community Arts Programming
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (71211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)
Keywords
Where Curated Storefront is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Akron
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Curated Storefront business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals to support its mission of advancing public art in downtown Akron.
- Foundation and Corporate Grants: Curated Storefront receives funding from foundations such as Knight Foundation, VIA Art Fund ($100,000 award for Chakaia Booker sculpture), Akron Community Foundation, GAR Foundation, and others.
- Fundraising Events: Annual gala events such as Revelry for a Cause generate revenue through ticket sales and sponsorships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free admission to exhibitions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Curated Storefront product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Curated Storefront transforms vacant storefronts and empty buildings in Akron, Ohio into temporary public art installations and exhibition spaces. The organization curates and presents artist-led projects that activate underused commercial properties, offering free public access to contemporary art experiences in non-traditional venues across multiple neighborhoods.
Product overview
Curated Storefront is a non-profit arts organization that transforms empty storefronts and vacant spaces in downtown Akron, Ohio into dynamic art installations and exhibition venues. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including its core storefront activation initiative, the Outside the Box shipping container site with INSIDE residency program, Curated Storefront Studios for gallery exhibitions, and the flagship World of Wonders museum. Special Projects encompasses ambitious public art commissions including large-scale murals and sculptures. The organization also manages Akron's Contemporary Arts District, featuring rotating public murals and digital art installations. Key programs include the Curated Courthouse partnership, FRONT Triennial exhibitions at Quaker Square, and the annual Revelry for a Cause gala. The portfolio is tied together through an open call for artist proposals, seasonal exhibitions, and community events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- World of Wonders: A museum featuring the works of Clayton Bailey, including robots, mechanical marvels, and bizarre experiments. Located in the Polsky Building at 225 South Main St., Akron.
- Outside the Box
- Curated Courthouse
Products and services
- World of Wonders A flagship exhibition program that transforms vacant storefronts into immersive public art installations and curated exhibitions, presented free to community visitors in Akron, Ohio.
- Outside the Box An outdoor public art initiative that places installations and creative works in unexpected exterior locations throughout the city, engaging passersby with art beyond traditional gallery walls.
- Studio Program A residency-style program that provides artists with space and support within activated storefronts to create and present new work to the Akron community.
- Special Projects One-off commissioned or partnered art projects developed in collaboration with artists, neighborhood groups, and community stakeholders on a project basis.
- Curated Courthouse An exhibition program that activates underused public and civic spaces, beginning with the Summit County Courthouse area, with curated art displays for the community.
- Visiting Artist Program A program that brings artists from outside Akron to live, create, and exhibit work in the city's vacant storefronts, fostering exchange between visiting creators and the local community.
- Revelry for a Cause A fundraising and community engagement event that brings supporters together to celebrate Curated Storefront's mission while generating revenue for ongoing programming.
Quantifiable outcome
- Properties activated by Curated Storefront sold or rented within months of exhibition
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Curated Storefront
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Curated Storefront technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Curated Storefront partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FRONT International TriennialcoreCurated Storefront partnered with FRONT International to activate Quaker Square with multiple galleries featuring contemporary art from July through October 2022.
- Summit County Probate CourtcoreCurated Courthouse collaboration displays art within the Summit County Courthouse providing respite and enrichment for employees, attorneys, and visitors. Funding through Knight Arts Challenge.
- Bounce Innovation HubcoreCurated Storefront's headquarters and Studios are located within the Bounce Innovation Hub at 526 S. Main St., Suite 503A, Akron.
- TrueNorth AkroncoreOutside the Box shipping container installations are located at TrueNorth Akron in the Northside District.
- Akron Civic TheatrecoreLocation for Peeta's 2024 mural 'Urban Mirage' on the portion of the Akron Civic Theatre overlooking Lock 4.
- Ohio Creativity TrailminorWorld of Wonders is a stop on the Ohio Creativity Trail, a statewide experiential driving trail highlighting Ohio's arts and cultural attractions.
- Highland Üniversal Gatheringspot (HÜG)minorPartnered with HÜG in Akron's Highland Square neighborhood for the 'Fresh Digs' archaeological dig experience promoting HÜG's land art labyrinth and World of Wonders.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Curated Storefront competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SPACES: Cleveland-based nonprofit contemporary art organization that supports artist residencies and exhibitions; directly comparable to Curated Storefront's mission-driven artist support and residency programming (Curated Storefront has featured SPACES Echo Residency artists).
- Elsewhere: Greensboro, NC nonprofit that activates a former thrift store building as a living museum and artist residency; the most direct functional analog to Curated Storefront's vacant-storefront activation model.
- Mattress Factory: Pittsburgh contemporary art museum dedicated to site-specific installation art with artist residency programs; comparable in curatorial focus on installation, residency, and adaptive reuse of unconventional space.
- Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD): Nonprofit contemporary art institution operating in a post-industrial Midwestern city with rotating exhibitions and community programming; directly comparable urban context to Akron.
- LAND Studio: Cleveland nonprofit focused on public art and creative placemaking for urban revitalization; highly comparable mission of using art to drive neighborhood and downtown economic outcomes.
Broad incumbents
- Akron Art Museum: Established Akron contemporary art museum serving as the local incumbent in the same market where Curated Storefront operates; broader portfolio but overlapping curatorial territory and donor base.
- The Momentary: Crystal Bridges' contemporary art satellite in Bentonville, AR housed in a former cheese factory; comparable model of activating an adaptive-reuse industrial space for rotating contemporary art programming at greater scale.
- Wexner Center for the Arts: Ohio State University contemporary arts center in Columbus; the established regional incumbent in Ohio contemporary art programming with similar curatorial ambition but a much larger institutional footprint.
Regional players
- FRONT International: Cleveland-based contemporary art triennial that partnered with Curated Storefront at Quaker Square in 2022; comparable regional contemporary-art footprint and recurring institutional collaboration.
Emerging players
- Pioneer Works: Brooklyn nonprofit that converts a former ironworks into an artist residency, exhibition, and music venue; comparable nonprofit model pairing vacant industrial space with multidisciplinary artist programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Curated Storefront social profiles
Digital presenceCurated Storefront financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Curated Storefront leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Curated Storefront funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Curated Storefront M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Curated Storefront
What does Curated Storefront do?
Curated Storefront transforms vacant storefronts and empty buildings in Akron, Ohio into temporary public art installations and exhibition spaces. The organization curates and presents artist-led projects that activate underused commercial properties, offering free public access to contemporary art experiences in non-traditional venues across multiple neighborhoods.
Is Curated Storefront a public or private company?
Curated Storefront is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Curated Storefront founded?
Curated Storefront was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Curated Storefront based?
Curated Storefront is headquartered in Akron, United States, in the North America region.
How does Curated Storefront make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Corporate Grants and fundraising Events.
Who are Curated Storefront's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SPACES, Elsewhere, Mattress Factory, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) and LAND Studio. Broad incumbents are Akron Art Museum, The Momentary and Wexner Center for the Arts. FRONT International is listed as a regional player. Pioneer Works is listed as an emerging player.
Does Curated Storefront have an API?
No public API is recorded for Curated Storefront.
What industry is Curated Storefront in?
Curated Storefront's product category is Public Art and Community Arts Programming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAH, Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit), with a secondary code of THAHAAAG, Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums). Its NAICS code is 7121.