Local Color

Local Color formerly the Exhibition District is a Woman Owned & Operated 501(c)(3) Nonprofit building economic opportunities for creatives at the intersection of art + community development. Our work strengthens the local economy by keeping creatives engaged, employed, and active.

We have three main programs: murals, interim-use activation, and creative services.

The goal of Local Color is to reactivate city vacancies in between development cycles as a creative haven for artists, printers, makers, producers, dreamers and do-ers. In December of 2016, we received the keys to an abandoned 20,000 square foot building slated for demo. We have hosted over 250 independent events and provide affordable, open air art studios for 20 artist in residents. We're like a community center, but with fresh relevance. A City Club Hub. A Social Center. All of these, but with lots and lots of art.

By 2020, we are committed to covering 40,000 square feet of boring khaki building facades with high quality street art. This free, outdoor, public art mural gallery is an opportunity for artists to contribute to the beautification of the community. Thus far, we have been able to raise the funding for 15,000 square feet of fresh, quality murals. As we enter our third year of programming, we are proud that although we carry a one year graffiti amendment clause in our contracting, we have had 95% success in repelling graffiti. We believe that this is a result of the wages we pay to artists and the carefulness with which we curate. Fair compensation for creative work fosters the caliber of workmanship for which the Silicon Valley is known.

We see these walls as an opportunity to do good. Every bland and blank wall is a chance to reclaim disregarded urban spaces to make San Jose more walkable, safer and beautiful. Together we can paint the picture of a city whose buildings exterior walls reflect its innovative core.