So… what is The Art Thing?

It’s a lot of things, actually; all rooted in the belief that art belongs everywhere, to everyone. Sprung from a mutual desire to help connect people to their communities The Art Thing (TAT) Collaborative Inc. was founded by artists Nick Stag & Carly Proulx back in July of 2024. They believed that art was that THING that could connect us all to each other and to our communities.

The Art Thing Collaborative is a social arts organization on a mission to bring people together by bringing art to the people!

On street corners, in schools, at festivals, in parks, and yes…even on random Tuesdays. Wherever art is needed most, that’s where they show up. Proulx says “We devise and share all kinds of Art Things, from high-energy live art shows and immersive installations to accessible programs and interactive happenings that turn ordinary places everywhere into shared experiences.”

TAT collaborates with local schools, libraries, businesses, and other community partners.

TAT collaborations include co-creating murals, sculptures, community-driven exhibits and all sorts of creative works shaped by and for the people.

Positive Space is a traveling, super fun, hands-on art experience where large inflatable spheres fill the room and turn empty “negative space” into something you can play with! With glowing lights and a silent headphone sound system, this is a fully immersive, sensory-rich adventure made for kids of all ages and abilities. Positive Space is a program that creates awareness through play, serving as a reminder that showing up matters, and that your presence always has an impact. It’s an Art Thing way to explore how we shape the spaces we share, and how being present, in a real and positive way, can change everything! Positive Space is designed to pop up in libraries, schools, parks, community centers, and anywhere people come together so stay tuned to see where Positive Space will pop up next.

The main goal of TAT is to connect everyone in the art things they do.

“From the young to the young at heart, and in all the places we share space in our community we will keep making our art things as accessible as possible, even to those who don’t consider themselves artsy or art-minded. No one should get left behind or feel left out in a TAT thing!” says Stag. Like TAT’s motto says “art for everyone, everywhere.”