IMAGINE

Pop-up community engagement

IMAGINE makes a place for New Yorkers to be heard—where community members can share their insights, experiences, and ideas about their street, neighborhood, and city. Designed to be a fun and memorable experience that brings together New Yorkers of all ages, IMAGINE NYC encourages participants to engage with the PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE of their spaces, featuring different activities such as…

  • handwritten tags to share and display local stories and memories
  • an “I-spy” activity that encourages observing, understanding, and documenting public spaces
  • a Polaroid-photo station where New Yorkers can share their aspirations, needs, and visions for change in their neighborhood in a street gallery

… and more! These activities come paired with custom physical elements that include tables, benches, and gallery displays.

Our goal is for people to leave feeling connected and inspired by the ideas of other New Yorkers throughout their community. Look out for a newly expanded IMAGINE NYC in communities around the city in 2024.

A wooden chalk board that has "Imagine with Decatur" written on it.
A woman and man talking on the street.
Two girls writing on notecards on a wooden table on the street.
A blue card with a polaroid photo of two students on the left and text on the right that reads "Dear New York City, on this street I want to have a party more often."
Two boys writing something on notecards clipped on the wooden frame.
A yellow card with a polaroid photo of a woman on the left and text on the right that reads: "Dear New York City, On this street I want to: see more events based off diverse cultures and backgrounds, to help build and enrich our community!
A woman writing "IMAGINE 234th St" on the chalkboard on the street.
Two girls writing something on notecards clipped on the wooden frame.
A boy writing something on the roll of paper on a wooden table on the street.
A yellow card with a polaroid photo of a woman on the left and text on the right that reads: "Dear New York City, On this street I want to: more opportunities for bengali woman to show their culture talents and just show what they can do beside being housewife. All we need the space and the opportunity. Sincerely, Lutfun"
A group of students writing something on the paper roll on the street.
A blue card with a polaroid photo of a teacher and student on the left and text on the right that reads: "Dear New York City, On this street I want to plant more flowers"
A man taking a polaroid photo of a girl in the NYC street.
A view of the street with a wooden frame and people around it.