to Let transforms downtown Ithaca by innovatively addressing the need to enliven vacant storefronts and artists’ need for space to display work. In this collaborative community project landlords temporarily donate the use of unrented retail spaces and artists create installations that draw positive attention to the vacant stores and present provocative, thoughtful projects to the public. This program presents both a pragmatic and culturally beneficial response to the current weakened state of the real estate market and the losses in arts funding.  to Let addresses the history of a public common, begins a public dialog about art, supports artists, attracts visitors, and presents a more vibrant city center.