ABOUT | STooPS

ABOUT STooPS

MISSION | VISION | VALUES

Our Mission

STooPS connects our neighborhood with a big ol' block party, classes, and opportunities for artistic expression in unconventional spaces.

Our Vision

To make art accessible while valuing creators and honoring the local.

Make Art Accessible
We recognize art as a cultural asset and are committed to making it available to anyone who is interested. We know that art can inspire, and we support creative visions that are transformative for everyone who participates.
Value Creators
We recognize that without artists there would be no art, and we honor both the product and the creator. We also honor organizers and business owners who support community development. We believe in fair compensation rooted in a communally-determined value system, and we are committed to paying all creators in a way that meets their needs and expectations. Exposure is not sufficient compensation.
Honor the Local
We want artists to be able to create where they live. We believe in artists’ ability to activate a space, inspire new ideas, and expand the creative culture of a community when they are able to create and share their work locally. We recognize that every community has creators, spaces, organizations, influential people, and resources. We know sharing these resources fosters strong connections rooted in community relationships and artistic collaboration. We also honor the diverse communication styles within our home community and lead by example, treating others with respect and generosity.
Creative Growth & Development
We challenge everyone around us to activate their civic responsibility by making decisions that sustainably benefit our entire community. This holistic thinking creates opportunities for collective resource development which enlivens artists, businesses, homeowners, and neighbors.
Collaborative Exploration
We value relationship-building and creative thinking as pathways to invigorating a neighborhood. We facilitate spaces for community-minded creative experimentation that encompasses both conventional and innovative artistic genres. We seek out socially relevant artistic exploration that taps into community needs. We provide a platform for art that aims to engage and challenge an audience. These spaces catalyze unique, vision-fulfilling engagements between artists and their audiences.

Our Values

Why STooPS?

Over the past 3–5 years, changes in demographics and economics have evolved the fabric of Bed-Stuy. As the home of one of the first community centers, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza, Bed-Stuy has historically had a unique identity and strong sense of community.

As new residents move into the community, gentrification is a large concern for those who have a family history and long term investment in this neighborhood. A balancing act has occurred between embracing change while still maintaining the energy and traditions of Bed-Stuy.

STooPS builds on the unmistakable Bed-Stuy identity and bridges the gap between Bed-Stuy “then” and “now.” As any neighborhood evolves, it takes the effort of many to maintain and increase the cohesion of the community.

STooPS is a tangible way to unite artists, new residents, businesses, and those deeply invested in the neighborhood such as homeowners and community organizations.