Storefronts Seattle is expanding its program — to Auburn.

Beginning this winter, Storefronts and the Auburn Arts Commission will set artists loose on vacant retail spaces along the Main Street corridor of downtown.”Generally, it’s working with building owners to identify vacant spaces, which we then can place artists in to activate the downtown area as well as serve as an economic development tool, not only to bring people downtown but also to showcase vacant spaces,” said Majia McKnight, Parks, Arts & Recreation Arts coordinator for the City of Auburn.

Matthew Richter, program manager for Storefronts Seattle, said the nonprofit organization has worked within various Seattle neighborhoods and is looking forward to working with Auburn and local artists to enliven Auburn’s downtown and energize the streetscape.

“Expansion into Auburn with the launch of Storefronts Auburn is a great way to start connecting to communities outside of Seattle and to really start thinking about the art and artist communities of the whole Pacific Northwest region,” Richter said.

In so doing, Richter said, Storefronts Seattle will continue to fulfill its mission of supporting any and every neighborhood in need of revitalization and support. With the cooperation of property owners, community groups, and government, Storefronts hopes to introduce this city and the region to a completely new way of thinking about art space, retail space and neighborhood.

Storefronts debuted in late 2010 as an experiment in activating vacant spaces with art, creative enterprise and performance. Since that time, the program has presented more than 50 artists and groups in short-term residencies in Chinatown/International District, Pioneer Square, and South Lake Union.

Storefronts is dedicated to providing exposure and support to regional artists and to revitalizing urban cores and neighborhoods, using the arts and pop-up creative enterprise to help protect neighborhoods from high vacancy rates, reduced street traffic and a disengaged streetscape.

The Storefronts Seattle project is a collaboration of The Alliance for Pioneer Square, City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development, The Historic South Downtown Foundation, City of Seattle’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, 4Culture, Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area, Seattle Chinatown-International District Preservation and Development Authority, Vulcan, Inc, the City of Auburn, the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, and is produced by Shunpike.

Shunpike’s mission is to strengthen the Seattle arts community by partnering with small and mid-size arts groups to develop the business tools they need to succeed.

Since its founding in 2001, Shunpike has supported a vibrant and diverse local arts community where arts groups of all sizes can thrive. Its founders realized that efficient use of resources and smart management could help arts groups do what they do best, now and in the long run.

Since its inception, Shunpike has supported work by more than 2,000 artists in live performance, film, literary arts, visual arts, and arts education.

The City of Auburn Arts Commission’s purpose is to foster the growth of the arts in Auburn through the presentation of various arts programs, community initiatives and the program partnerships. Through a shared vision, leadership and service, its goal is to integrate the arts into all aspects of community life.

Storefronts Auburn has issued a request for proposals from artists and artists interested in presenting work in Auburn. Please see www.storefrontsauburn.com or www.auburnwa.gov/arts for more information.