"Make, Do" seeks to leverage the potential of arts and culture industries, grow the creative economy, and inventory communities' cultural assets. The program builds upon findings in the City of Madison's Cultural Plan, which identified lack of workspace as one of the greatest needs. At the same time, underused or vacant commercial, retail, and industrial space suitable for art workspace is available throughout the county with an untapped potential for the reuse of a variety of structures, from storefronts to barns.

I love the idea of looking at vacant commercial, retail, and industrial space and saying, "Maybe instead of leaving this empty and not creating any revenue, let's see about renting it to artists." I don't know exactly what it will lead to, but it's an excellent way of thinking outside the normal lines, and I'm certainly going to keep this on my radar.

The are currently looking for input from artists, creative workers, local government zoning/building staff, and property owners, managers and agents. Go take a look and take one of the surveys if appropriate.