ABOUT US

Art Lives Here is a non-profit arts organization that supports cultural equity by creating opportunities for under-represented artists, which historically has meant Women, LGBTQIA+, AAPI, BIPOC Artists. We are all inclusive by design and we do not segregate the artists that we collaborate with. Equity is also about providing access to art, breaking down the barriers of the art world cannon by bringing meaningful public art installations, exhibitions, performances and educational programming to people where they live, work and gather with friends and family.

Art Lives Here develops programming by thinking outside of the box to shift perceptions and conversations. We believe that a thriving arts community is good for society and has the power to positively impact change by exploring issues beyond the sound bite.

Founded by Connie Lee, an independent curator, public art leader, and an advocate for public space. During Lee’s six-year term, 2015 – 2021, as President of the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance, she developed the acclaimed Public Art Initiative (PAI), a program that facilitated dozens of public art installations in Northern Manhattan including Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem Art Park, White Park, Eugene McCabe Field, Morningside Park, A Philip Randolph Square and public plazas in the neighborhoods of Harlem and East Harlem. The PAI and the artists Lee worked with needed room to expand and Art Lives Here was formed.

Since 2020 she has curated and hosted, a salon and exhibition space in a Harlem brownstone, connecting emerging and mid-career artists to each other and the collectors that want to support them.

Lee has seamlessly blended her design and art careers by curating a collection of rugs designed by artists and produced in Nepal alongside her own designs. She currently serves as a public member on Community Board 11, an advisor to the board of Friends of Art Park and is a founding member of Landmark East Harlem.

Bios of our advisory board and staff will be uploaded soon