Photo credit: Justin, Sloan Breeden Photography
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
Downtown Austin Space Activation (DASA) transforms vacant storefronts into vibrant hubs for creatives, small businesses, artists, and community events, driving economic growth and cultural engagement in downtown Austin.
By providing affordable, accessible, short-term space opportunities, DASA lowers barriers for entrepreneurs and creatives to test ideas, grow their audiences, and connect with the community.
The program partners with property owners and local organizations to revitalize underutilized spaces, increase downtown foot traffic, and foster a more active and inclusive downtown. Since launching, DASA has hosted 520+ activations, serving over 6,700 people, and generating $471,000 in cost savings for participantscreating a dynamic, accessible, and replicable model for urban activation and economic development.
SPACES ACTIVATED
KEY STATISTICS
EVENTS & PARTICIPANTS
EVENT STATS
Events & Pop-Ups
Artist Residencies
Art Exhibits
Live Music, Theater and Fashion Performances
Independent Cultural Productions
Civic Organizations
Markets
PARTICIPANT STATS
Participants of groups were non-profits of participating businesses were minority-owned engaged were small businesses of businesses engaged were women-owned of groups involved were LGBTQIA+ of businesses identified as historically underutilized
KEY STATISTICS
MEDIA METRICS
Media stats (May 2024- April 2025)
171 mentions
476 million audience
$5,040,000 Publicity Value
17 Local Outlets, including ABJ, Tribeza, KVUE, KXAN, News
13 DASA Newsletters
1500 recipients, 58% average open rate
100 Social Media Posts across 6 platforms
15,306 DASA & XOXO Downtown Austin Webpage views
PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
Participants consistently reported high satisfaction, praising the accessiblity, support, and visibility offered by the program. Impact stories highlight strenghthened community ties, revenue generation, and expanded audiences.
SURVEY RESULTS
of survey respondents said they would participate in the program again of survey respondents said the application process was easy of survey respondents said their space needs were met of survey respondents said the location was very desirable
CASE STUDIES
Photo cred t Justin, Sloan Breeden Photography
ARTISANMERCADO
21 vendors supported
100 new followers on social media
100+ visitors per market
With7yearsofmarketexperience,Irmaandherteamwantedtobringtheirartisan marketdowntownaftera2-yearhiatus.Themainobstacletohavingmarketsareprice. Therearelotofpop-upmarkets,butthey'repricey,soit'sdifficultbecausesometimes youjustdon'tmaketherent.TheDASAprogramallowedthemtohaveanaffordable andprimelocationinDowntownAustin.
DespiteAustinhavinga32%Latinopopulation,therewasn’tamarketthatwas exclusivetoLatinoartsandculture.Thismarketfocusesonsourcedmerchandisefrom MexicoandLatinAmerica,inadditiontothehandmadegoodsproducedinAustin.The DASAprogramallowedthemtocurateamarketexclusivetothetypeofmerchandise thattheyhave.
Theprogramhelpedtheirmarketreachanewtouristaudienceandtheywouldhost anothereventthroughDASAagain.
Photo cred t Isabelle Milford
Photo credit: Isabelle Milford
D A S A A R T I S T S I N R E S I D E N C E
“We have been able to, not only feature and celebration our amazing artists and stories, but we have been able to meet new audiences and make rewarding connections with key community members and organizations because of the DASA program.”
Activator, October 2024
ABOUTTHEPROGRAM
TheDASAArtistResidencyProgramoffersaunique opportunityforartistsacrossvariousdisciplinesto immersethemselvesinasupportiveandinspiring environment.Theprogramprovidestheperfect spacetofocusonyourcreativepractice,developnew workandengagewithadiversecommunityofartists andculturalenthusiasts.
Residentsreceiveadedicatedstudiospacein DowntownAustin,digital,printandsocialmedia promotionthroughourpartnershipwithTRIBEZA, accesstoresourcesandfacilitiesatDASAResidency spaces,opportunitiesforcollaborationand networking,professionaldevelopmentand mentorshipoveroneyearandexposuretonewideas, culturesandexperiences.
SpecialthankstoPeakandKilroyRealtyfor subsidizingourartistresidents’parking.
D A S A A R T I S T S I N R E S I D E N C E
MALTIB.LEE
MaltiB.LeewasaresidentinDASA’sfirst ArtistinResidencecohort.Shesaysthe DASAArtistinResidenceprogrammadeit possibleforhertoworkinDowntownAustin. Studiospacetendsnottobeparticularly affordableinAustin,sothisresidencywas significantlymoreaffordablethanother studiospacesinthearea,notjust downtown,butthroughoutAustin.Sheliked thatitwasanopportunitytohaveastudio andtryitoutforalittleperiodoftime.
OneoftheotherperksthatmadetheDASA Residencyeasywasthateachresidenthad parkingdowntown.Withoutparkingaccess, workingdowntownwouldhavebeenmuch lessaccessible.
Shelikedthattheresidencyofferedthe opportunitytoexhibitherworkwithanother artist,allowinghertobuildhernetwork.She saystheresidencybringsAustin’screative communityintospaceslikedowntown, whichissuperimportantforanycity.The DASAprogrambringspeopledowntownby makingspaceforworkingcreativesand cultivatingcreativeprogrammingthatis openandaccessibletoall.
TheDASAprogramdefinitelypushedher creativepractice.She’susedthetimeto experimentwithherworkandshe’sreally excitedaboutthenew,evenbigger paintingsinspiredbyhertimeinthe program.
HEAR ABOUT MALTI’S DASA EXPERIENCE
D A S A A R T I S T S I N R E S I D E N C E
ROBINWINTER
Robinsaysthattherearefewopportunities fornewartiststoshowworkinAustin.It’sa tight-knitcommunity,sotheprocessof figuringouthowtoshowworkandwhere youcanshowworkisreallychallenging.
ThroughtheDASAprogram,folkshe’s knownforalongtimestartedtoseehimin anewwayandinvitehimtoparticipatein otherartevents.
ThisresidencywasthefirsttimeRobinfully madeartthathewantedtomakefor himselfsincehewasakid.Hedidn'tcareif anybodyelselikedwhathewascreating duringhisresidency,andthatwasreally liberatingandempowering.Withoutthe pressuretoproducethattheresidencyat DASAprovided,heprobablywouldn'thave beenabletoprogressasquicklyashedid.
Theprogramwasveryinstrumentalinhim realizingthathewasbeingreallytight abouttheartisticprocess,andthathe neededtoletgoabitandtrysomething newtogrow.
HEAR ABOUT ROBIN’S DASA EXPERIENCE
Photo credit: Just n Sloan Breeden Photography
“Your team helped promote and legitimize my business. This was only my 3rd event and having the backing of DASA created opportunity to activate a unique space in a popular area that I wouldn't easily
Activator, September 2024
“Our participation helped raise over
$6,000 for scholarships for disadvantaged El Paso high school seniors planning to attend Austin-area colleges.”
Activator, October 2024
“The affordability of the space allowed us to elevate our Cabaret series with a fun, showy spot downtown that was doable on our small budget.
The ability to have the FULL day in the space was also huge. The efforts we go to to bring in staging, audio, lighting, and decor is essential to the experience we are offering AND the ability to have so much time is key.”
have the opportunity to. ” WHAT OUR
“it helped by giving artists and artisans a place to exhibit and sell unique Latinx articles not easily found
in other pop-up markets. It gave us a space in the heart of Downtown Austin. Vendors profited from sales.”
Activator, October 2024
Activator, August 2024
ACTIVATORS ARE SAYING
Photo credit Justin, Sloan Breeden Photography
FUTURE GOALS & EXPANSION PLANS
PROGRAM LAUNCH
Funds are needed to secure downtown spaces, partnerships, activations, and metrics, changing perceptions about access to the downtown economy.
PROGRAM SCALE
Establish complementary programs such as artist residencies, small business incubators, and project fellowships to reinvest back into Austin's diverse local talent and creative economy.
PROGRAM INSTITUTION
Institute a 'co-location' model where financially vulnerable tenants can 'co-locate' in downtown space longer-term with financially established tenants.
EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES
Over the next few years, we will continue to seek partnerships, reach new audiences through our active marketing campaigns, and recruit new board members.
Photo credit Chisum Pierce
Photo credit: Crystal Atwood
With strong results in its first year, DASA is poised for thoughtful expansion – adding more locations, improving downtown accessibility, and deepening support for underrepresented entrepreneurs. In light of current affordability and accessibility challenges in downtown, DASA creates new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and creatives to grow their presence downtown and across the community.
Photo credit Justin, Sloan Breeden Photography
It Takes a Village
Thanks to generous contributions from partners and supporters, DASA enables us to provide affordable venues, furnishings, marketing assistance, and essential resources – empowering small businesses to launch, grow, and connect with new audiences. By lowering barriers to entry and increasing foot traffic, DASA has helped maintain downtown vibrancy while fostering inclusive economic development. Every contribution, whether through discounts, direct funding, program participation, donations, and volunteer hours, directly fuel local creativity, buildings community, and strengthens the cultural and economic fabric of our downtown. We are deeply grateful for you.
THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR
