Case Study:
ArtWave A Community Art Program by Simply Promotions

In 2018, Simply Promotions created ArtWave, a collaborative community art program designed to bridge the gap between students, local artists, and experiential retail environments. What began as a creative initiative has grown into a five-year program that redefines how public spaces engage communities through art, culture, and storytelling.

The Challenge

With traditional retail venues looking to expand their reach and build cultural relevance, Simply Promotions set out to design a program that would:

1. Drive repeat foot traffic through meaningful, interactive experiences
2. Enhance visibility through community-focused visual art installations
3. Increase social media engagement via on-site interaction
4. Connect students and young audiences with working artists in meaningful collaborations
5. Create a scalable program model with long-term growth potential
6. Foster local community and media relationships via public art programming
7. Provide arts-and-culture engagement solutions for venues with limited in-house staff

Our Solution

Simply Promotions launched the ArtWave program in collaboration with:

1. Local artists, selected for diverse styles and teaching ability.
2. Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation School, connecting students to hands-on creative experiences
3. Retail and community venues, providing space and visibility for permanent and rotating pieces

Key Program Features:

1. Community Art Installations
   Designed and installed multiple interactive, large-scale public art pieces featuring collaboration between professional artists and local students
2. Youth Involvement
   Students assisted in creating mural concepts, brushwork, and storytelling components tied directly to their community values and history
3. Social Engagement
   Each installation included photo-ready backdrops and call-to-actions encouraging user-generated content and social sharing with campaign hashtags
4. Multigenerational Appeal
   Art themes and events were curated to resonate with families, students, art lovers, and shoppers alike, creating a cross-demographic visitor experience
5. Integrated Event Programming
   Seasonal events such as community paint days, mural unveilings, and mini art festivals activated space around the murals and strengthened attendance

Measurable Results:

1. Foot Traffic + On-Site Engagement
   Thousands of viewers engaged with the art installations, many visiting repeatedly

2. Community Art Installations
   Five major installations completed, with mural #5 unveiled in June 2024 for ArtWave’s fifth anniversary

3. Youth Artist Participation
   Partnered with Chi Chi Rodriguez School to engage dozens of student artists

4. Social Media Reach
   Significant boost in user-generated content around ArtWave murals and events

5. Community Connection
   Deepened relationships between public venues, schools, local artists, and civic groups

6. Brand Positioning
   Helped transform venue spaces into cultural hubs celebrated for their art and inclusivity