Near Southside, Inc.
ArtsGoggle
ArtsGoggle
The outdoor community events for the rest of the year in Near Southside — including ArtsGoggle, PARK(ing) Day, and the Friday on the Green concerts — have been canceled.
The decision, announced in a newsletter from Near Southside, Inc., was made because of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Fort Worth, as well as the uncertainties about what the public health status will be in coming months.
Near Southside, Inc. is planning alternative activities, however. For example, since people will be unable to attend Friday on the Green, the organization invites residents to support local musicians, food entrepreneurs, and gig and service workers, through the Southside Culinary Arts Retail Entertainment and Service (C.A.R.E.S.) Fund.
In addition, Near Southside, Inc. is working with the City of Fort Worth to create a temporary Parklet Program, which will allow businesses to reserve parking zones for up to six months to expand their patio seating areas.
Rather than hosting the one-day ArtsGoggle event, Near Southside, Inc. is organizing a month’s worth of virtual experiences that will advance the arts and culture, which they are calling ARTober.
“While it isn’t the one-day sales bonanza we typically enjoy, online ‘events’ and shopping can offer promotion and bolster income for businesses and creatives,” according to the newsletter.
One plan for ARTober includes a partnership with Minneapolis-based nonprofit Artspace. This organization will lead focus group discussions about the feasibility of constructing a Near Southside incubator project that would give artists housing and a place to work.
More information can be found at nearsouthsidefw.org.
