ArtPop Street Gallery

What ArtPop Street Gallery does

ArtPop Street Gallery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2014 and headquartered at 113 Freeland Ln, Charlotte, NC, serving the Charlotte-Metro Region across North and South Carolina. The organization operates four interconnected programs: the Artist Cohort (featuring local artists on donated billboard and digital display inventory including Times Square), Creative Commissions (a project management service connecting businesses and nonprofits with artists for murals, installations, and commissioned artworks), a Sustainability & Fashion initiative that transforms retired billboard vinyl into couture fashion, and Community Events anchored by the flagship Annual Upcycled Fashion Show. Since 2014, ArtPop has featured 246+ Charlotte-region artists, secured over $8.5 million in donated public media space annually, and paid more than $750,000 directly to artists since 2020.

The operational platform is built on an in-kind billboard advertising partnership with Outfront Media (valued at over $8.5M annually), supported by Squarespace for web presence, NeonCRM for donation processing, and Eventbrite for event ticketing. The organization tracks environmental impact metrics (13,400+ sq ft of vinyl diverted from landfills annually) and runs a juried artist selection process. Its 2026 Artist Cohort includes 24 artists (19 adults and 5 high school seniors), and the program expanded internationally in 2025 with billboard displays in Times Square (New York) and Seoul, Korea.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: tax-deductible individual donations (monthly, quarterly, annual, or one-time), event ticket sales (Annual Upcycled Fashion Show with VIP tiers and 400+ guests), corporate sponsorships (with VIP benefits and recognition), grants (including an NEA award for the 2026 Artist Cohort), and creative commissions from enterprise clients. Go-to-market is event-driven, leveraging venue partnerships with Le Méridien Charlotte (11 consecutive years), Berkshire Hathaway SouthPark, and Blume Studios. Primary customer segments are local artists (primary), corporate partners seeking CSR visibility, and Charlotte-metro community members; named enterprise clients include Bank of America, Blue Cross NC, Harris Teeter, Carolina Panthers, Lowe's Tech Hub, United Way of Greater Charlotte, and Truist Field.

Name

ArtPop Street Gallery

Legal name

ArtPop Street Gallery

Website

https://artpopstreetgallery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ArtPop Street Gallery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization in Charlotte, NC that showcases local artists on billboards and digital displays, commissions murals and installations for businesses, and upcycles retired billboard vinyl into fashion for community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Arts Organization

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neighborhood & Community Markets/Pop-Ups (Community-Led Bazaars) (MPAGAEAJ), Street Furniture Advertising (Bus Shelters, Kiosks, Benches, Phone Booths) (BPAFALAD)

Keywords

• Public art programs
• Community arts events
• Nonprofit artist development
• Billboard art exhibitions
• Creative placemaking services

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals supporting the arts community and mission of transforming communities through art.
2. Event Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from ticket sales for the Annual Upcycled Fashion Show and other community events.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership opportunities for businesses to sponsor events and programs, with VIP benefits and recognition.
4. Grants: Funding from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for artist cohort programs.
5. Creative Commissions: Art project management connecting businesses with artists for murals, installations, and commissioned artworks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ArtPop Street Gallery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that showcases local artists' work on digital billboards throughout the Charlotte metro region and hosts community art events. The organization runs an Artist Cohort program featuring local artists on donated billboard space, a Creative Commissions service connecting businesses with artists for murals and installations, and a Sustainability & Fashion upcycling initiative that transforms retired billboard vinyl into couture fashion.

Product overview

ArtPop Street Gallery is a 501(c)(3) arts nonprofit organization serving the Charlotte-Metro Region in NC and SC. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs: the Artist Cohort Program features local artists on billboards and digital displays (including Times Square) with career growth benefits; Creative Commissions connects businesses with artists for murals and installations; the Sustainability & Fashion Upcycling Initiative transforms retired billboard vinyl into couture fashion; and Community Events include art markets, exhibits, and the flagship Annual Upcycled Fashion Show. Since 2014, ArtPop has featured 246 Charlotte-region artists and donated over $8.5 million in public media space annually. The organization operates primarily through its website platform and uses NeonCRM for donation processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artist Cohort Program Annual juried program featuring local artists on billboards and digital displays throughout the Charlotte region, including Times Square. Provides career growth benefits, mentorship, exhibition opportunities, scholarships, and Artist Uplift Grants.
• Creative Commissions Art project management and consulting service connecting businesses and organizations with artists to create murals, art installations, commissioned artworks, and other creative projects. Past clients include Bank of America, Blue Cross NC, Truist Field, Lowe's Tech Hub, and Carolina Panthers.
• Sustainability & Fashion (Upcycling Initiative) Program that transforms retired billboard vinyl materials into couture fashion and accessories, keeping over 13,400 sq ft of vinyl out of landfills annually while supporting local designers.
• Annual Upcycled Fashion Show ArtPop's premier annual fundraiser and runway show at Blume Studios featuring over 400 guests, celebrating creativity through transformation of retired billboard vinyls into wearable art, with VIP experiences and silent auction.
• Community Events (Art Markets & Exhibits) Creative gatherings including art markets, exhibits, festivals at venues like Le Méridien Charlotte, Berkshire Hathaway SouthPark, and Burial Beer Co. that connect the community with local artists and offer free access to art experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 246 artists featured since 2014
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blume StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2026Venue partner hosting ArtPop's 6th Annual Upcycled Fashion Show. Provides premier event space for the organization's primary annual fundraiser and runway show.
• Outfront MediacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing in-kind billboard advertising space valued at over $8.5 million annually. Enables ArtPop's artist cohort program by displaying local artists' work on digital displays including Times Square.
• Le Méridien CharlottecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHotel venue hosting ArtPop's Community Art Markets for 11 consecutive years. Provides free venue space for artist showcases in the hotel lobby and restaurant.
• Berkshire Hathaway SouthParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate office hosting Community Art Market featuring six Charlotte painters. Provides venue for connecting local artists with community.
• QC Home AdvisorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate firm partnering to host Community Art Market. Founded by ArtPop 2021 Artist Cohort member Tim Petrinec.
• Free Range BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor for community events, providing beverages for art market attendees.
• Charlotte SHOUT!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual community arts festival partnering with ArtPop to create experiences encouraging community engagement with local art.
• Cain Center for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier art space partnership for featuring program artists and alumni in traditional gallery settings through exhibits like 'Perspectives: A Lens in History'.
• Foundation for the CarolinascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPress coverage and interview with ArtPop Founder Wendy Hickey showcasing organization's mission and community impact.
• WTVI PBS CharlottecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic television station featuring ArtPop on 'Carolina Impact' program, providing regional media exposure for the organization's work.
• Virgil OrtizminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPueblo artist from Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico serving as VIP Guest Fashion Designer for the 2026 Upcycled Fashion Show, transforming billboard vinyl into couture fashion.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Charlotte SHOUT!: Annual Charlotte community arts festival that has featured ArtPop artists and activations. Comparable as a Charlotte-based arts festival convening local artists, performers, and the public for community engagement.
• The Mint Museum: Charlotte art museum exhibiting collections of American, European, and craft art with strong community programming. Comparable as a Charlotte-based nonprofit arts institution exhibiting curated artist work and running public engagement events.
• Arts & Science Council (ASC) of Charlotte-Mecklenburg: Regional nonprofit that funds and supports arts and science organizations across Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Directly comparable as a Charlotte-area arts-supporting nonprofit that channels philanthropic and government dollars to local artists and cultural programs.
• McColl Center for Art + Innovation: Charlotte-based nonprofit arts residency and innovation hub that supports working artists and connects them with the community. Comparable mission of artist development, community engagement, and creative placemaking in the same geography.
• For Freedoms: National artist-founded nonprofit that activates public spaces (notably billboards and outdoor advertising) with contemporary art to encourage civic participation. Highly comparable model of using donated billboard space to feature artists and spark community dialogue.
• Cain Center for the Arts: Named ArtPop partner that features program artists in traditional gallery settings such as 'Perspectives: A Lens in History.' Comparable as a regional arts venue that exhibits curated artists and hosts community arts programming.

Emerging players

• Meow Wolf: Immersive arts and entertainment company creating large-scale permanent art installations. Comparable mission of transforming everyday places into immersive art experiences and monetizing community art experiences, though operating at much larger commercial scale.

Regional players

• Bechtler Museum of Modern Art: Charlotte modern art museum operating in the same metro region with curated exhibitions and community programming. Comparable as a regional cultural institution that exhibits art and engages the local community, though focused on a permanent collection model.

Others

• Foundation For the Carolinas: Major Charlotte-based community foundation that has featured ArtPop's founder in interviews. Comparable as a regional philanthropic institution that channels charitable dollars and could be a peer funding source or partner for similar arts nonprofits.

Broad incumbents

• Art on the MART: Chicago's large-scale digital art projection on the Merchandise Mart, featuring commissioned artists displayed on a landmark building facade. Comparable concept of using major commercial display infrastructure as a platform for curated artist work at city scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArtPopStGallery
• YouTubeinstagram.com/artpopstreetgallery
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArtPopStreetGallery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/artpopstreetgallery
• Instagraminstagram.com/artpopstreetgallery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ArtPop Street Gallery