Project For Empty Space
Project for Empty Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2010, operating gallery exhibitions, artist residencies, subsidized studios, and public-art programs across Newark, NJ and NYC's Chinatown, serving socially-engaged artists, the Newark creative community, and the general public through free programming funded by grants and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersNewark, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Project For Empty Space does
Project for Empty Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, with a secondary location, PES FUTURES, in Manhattan's Chinatown. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected cultural programs centered on socially-engaged contemporary art: rotating exhibitions across four physical venues; a two-year Artist In Residence program now in its tenth cycle; subsidized artist studios; the Newark Grounds cultural corridor of more than 75 public artworks; the Newark Artists Database, a free online platform for Newark-based visual artists; the PES Summer Studio free workshop series; and Body Freedom For Every(Body), a mobile truck-based exhibition touring nationwide. Supporting programs include artist professional development, granting, and the annual Badass Art Woman Award recognizing women/femme cultural workers.
The organization is led by Co-Directors Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Pauline Jampol with a board that includes artists Derrick Adams and Mickalene Thomas, and is governed as a private nonprofit. Its technology footprint is intentionally thin — there is no proprietary platform architecture; operations rely on a Squarespace website, Eventbrite registration, the custom Newark Artists Database site, and standard social and newsletter channels.
The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than revenue-generating from customers; all exhibitions and public programs are free. Revenue streams include tax-exempt individual donations processed via Zeffy, foundation grants (with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's $1.5M award in April 2023 as the largest single disclosed anchor), corporate sponsorships (Audible, PSEG, Christie's, RWJBarnabas Health, Edison Properties, Bloomberg Philanthropies), and federal/state arts funding (NEA, NJEDA). The customer base spans socially-oriented artists (primary program participants), the Newark creative community, women/femme cultural workers, and the general public engaged through exhibitions, public art, and community programming.
Project For Empty Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Project For Empty Space
- Legal name
- Project for Empty Space
- Website
- https://projectforemptyspace.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Project for Empty Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2010, operating gallery exhibitions, artist residencies, subsidized studios, and public-art programs across Newark, NJ and NYC's Chinatown, serving socially-engaged artists, the Newark creative community, and the general public through free programming funded by grants and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Project For Empty Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts and Cultural Services
- NAICS
- Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
Keywords
Where Project For Empty Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newark
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Project For Empty Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Project for Empty Space relies on tax-exempt donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. All donations are tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Project For Empty Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Project for Empty Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that presents contemporary art exhibitions, runs an annual Artist In Residence Program providing studio space, honoraria, and solo exhibition opportunities, produces community-rooted public art initiatives, and supplies subsidized artist studios and professional development grants for socially-oriented artists. Its programs are delivered free or at low cost to the public across four physical locations in Newark, NJ and NYC, supported by foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.
Product overview
Project for Empty Space is a multifaceted 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs: Exhibitions (rotating gallery shows in Newark and NYC), the Artist In Residence Program (two-year residencies with studio space, honoraria, and solo exhibitions), Public Art initiatives (community-rooted projects including Newark Grounds cultural corridor), Subsidized Artist Studios, and Artist Professional Development/Granting. Supporting programs include the Newark Artists Database (free online platform), Body Freedom For Every(Body) (bodily autonomy movement), PES Summer Studio (free artist-led workshops), and the Badass Art Woman Award (annual recognition). PES FUTURES operates as the NYC location in Chinatown.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Badass Art Woman Awards (BAWA): Annual recognition of women/femme identified cultural workers in the art world who cross over multiple roles beyond artists (curators, gallerists, academics, writers, etc.).
- Artist In Residence Program
- Newark Grounds
- Newark Artists Database
- PES Summer Studio
Products and services
- Exhibitions Program Rotating gallery exhibitions featuring visual artists exploring social impact themes, presented at PES locations in Newark (800 Broad, Ironside Newark) and NYC (PES FUTURES). Exhibitions are generally free and open to the public.
- Artist In Residence (AIR) Program Annual two-year residency program inviting four visual artists to Newark, NJ to create work around social impact, providing studio space, unrestricted honoraria, professional development (studio visits and critical feedback sessions), and culminating in a solo exhibition.
- Public Art + Partnerships Community-rooted public art initiatives including the Newark Grounds cultural corridor (75+ artworks), municipal and corporate public art commissions, and collaborations with local youth, residents, and stakeholders.
- Subsidized Artist Studios Affordable studio spaces provided at PES's Newark locations to support creative practitioners who are part of the residency program and broader community.
- PES Summer Studio Free artist-led workshop series transforming PES exhibition space at Ironside Newark into a gathering place for participants of all ages to experiment with materials, develop creative skills, and engage with contemporary artistic practices.
- Newark Artists Database Free online platform highlighting and celebrating Newark-based multidisciplinary visual artists, including artist profiles, an arts organization directory, and a continuously updated list of opportunities.
- Body Freedom For Every(Body) Cultural movement around bodily autonomy, freedom of expression, and community building, operating in both a physical truck-based mobile exhibition touring nationwide and a digital space for artwork sharing.
- Badass Art Woman Award (BAWA) Annual recognition celebrating women/femme-identified cultural workers in the art world who cross over multiple roles beyond artists and are often overlooked, including curators, gallerists, academics, writers, and similar positions.
- PES FUTURES PES gallery location in Chinatown, NYC, featuring exhibitions and programs at 128 Baxter St, including the current David Antonio Cruz exhibition 'black/backroom'.
- Newark Grounds Walkable cultural corridor in Downtown Newark, New Jersey, featuring over 75 consecutive public artworks and dedicated arts and culture spaces, situated within the Arts and Education District.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10 AIR cycles completed supporting over 30 artists since 2015
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Project For Empty Space
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Project For Empty Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Project For Empty Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- City of Newark Division of Arts and Cultural AffairscoreMunicipal partnership for public art initiatives, Newark Grounds cultural corridor, and various community arts programming. The City of Newark is a key civic partner in PES's mission to activate public spaces and support Newark's creative community.
- AudiblecoreSince 2021, PES has worked with Audible to launch and manage the Newark Artist Collaboration (NAC), commissioning large-scale public artworks throughout downtown Newark. The program has featured murals, installations, digital works, and interactive projects throughout the Audible campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Newark AlliancecorePartner in the Newark Grounds cultural corridor initiative and the City of Creators public art program, working to strengthen Newark's creative economy and downtown revitalization.
- Newark Downtown DistrictminorPartner in the City of Creators initiative that activates vacant storefronts in Downtown Newark.
- RWJBarnabas HealthminorPES collaborating with RWJBarnabas Health on public art development for healthcare facilities, including a large-scale mural at the 604 Market Street outpatient clinic in Newark's Ironbound neighborhood.
- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)coreSince 2025, PES joined NJPAC to conceive and execute public art for the institution's campus redevelopment. PES is leading integration of 13 site-responsive artworks across indoor and outdoor locations in the ArtSide development, titled 'Stories in Sound, Movement and Community'.
- Express NewarkminorPartner in Newark Artists Database initiative and virtual professional development programs.
- Four Corners Public ArtscorePartner in Newark Grounds cultural corridor initiative and various public art projects.
- Rutgers University-NewarkminorPartner through Rutgers University-Newark Design Consortium for Newark Grounds and educational programming including BOLD Scholars Network collaboration.
- Edison PropertiescoreReal estate partner providing space at Ironside Newark for PES exhibition and studio spaces at 110 Edison Place.
- Invest NewarkminorPartner in City of Creators initiative activating vacant storefronts in Downtown Newark.
- Newark Urban Enterprise ZoneminorPartner in City of Creators initiative.
- Newark Arts & Education DistrictcorePartner in Newark Grounds cultural corridor and municipal arts initiatives.
- City Parks FoundationminorPartner in Newark Grounds initiative.
- Greater Newark Convention and Visitors BureauminorPartner in Newark Grounds initiative.
- Newark ArtsminorPartner in Newark Grounds initiative and Newark arts ecosystem.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Project For Empty Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Knockdown Center: Queens-based nonprofit arts venue hosting residencies, exhibitions, and public art installations. Comparable in operating multi-use artist spaces and producing community-engaged contemporary art programming.
- The Laundromat Project: NYC-based nonprofit that brings arts programming into community spaces (laundromats, parks, schools). Highly comparable mission-driven nonprofit focused on community-centered arts engagement and artist support, similar to PES's socially-oriented residency model.
- The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts: NYC nonprofit that supports artists through studio residencies, exhibitions, and project grants. Comparable nonprofit arts-services model to PES's Artist In Residence and granting programs.
- The Bronx Museum of the Arts: Community-anchored contemporary art museum in the Bronx focused on artists of the African diaspora, Latin America, and Asia. Closely comparable to PES in its mission of centering underrepresented artists and serving a local creative community through exhibitions and public programs.
- BRIC: Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts and media organization presenting visual arts, performing arts, and community programming. Comparable as a multi-program nonprofit arts organization with gallery exhibitions, artist support, and public engagement.
- Recess: Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts organization that operates artist residencies, exhibitions, and community programs. Directly comparable as a small nonprofit offering residencies, exhibitions, and socially-engaged programming, similar in scale and structure to PES.
- NXTHVN: New Haven-based nonprofit arts and education organization running artist residencies, fellowships, and exhibitions. Directly comparable as a residency-driven, community-focused arts nonprofit with foundation funding and corporate partnerships similar to PES's structure.
- Socrates Sculpture Park: NYC nonprofit public sculpture park in Long Island City producing large-scale public art, artist residencies, and community programming. Highly comparable in combining public art, artist residencies, and free community access, similar to PES's Newark Grounds model.
Emerging players
- Urban Arts Coalition: NYC-based nonprofit that integrates arts programming with community development. Compares to PES in placing art at the center of community revitalization, though smaller in scale and project footprint.
Broad incumbents
- MASS MoCA: Large-scale contemporary art museum with residencies and public art programming. Comparable in curatorial vision and residency offerings, but operates at significantly larger scale and budget than PES.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Project For Empty Space social profiles
Digital presenceProject For Empty Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Project For Empty Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Project For Empty Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Project For Empty Space 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 Project For Empty Space
What does Project For Empty Space do?
Project for Empty Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that presents contemporary art exhibitions, runs an annual Artist In Residence Program providing studio space, honoraria, and solo exhibition opportunities, produces community-rooted public art initiatives, and supplies subsidized artist studios and professional development grants for socially-oriented artists. Its programs are delivered free or at low cost to the public across four physical locations in Newark, NJ and NYC, supported by foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.
Is Project For Empty Space a public or private company?
Project For Empty Space is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Project For Empty Space founded?
Project For Empty Space was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Project For Empty Space based?
Project For Empty Space is headquartered in Newark, United States, in the North America region.
How does Project For Empty Space make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Charitable Contributions.
Who are Project For Empty Space's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Knockdown Center, The Laundromat Project, The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, BRIC, Recess, NXTHVN and Socrates Sculpture Park. Urban Arts Coalition is listed as an emerging player. MASS MoCA is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Project For Empty Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for Project For Empty Space.
What industry is Project For Empty Space in?
Project For Empty Space's product category is Arts and Cultural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAH, Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 71211.