91¶ÌÊÓƵ

The Dumke Arts Plaza represents the transformation of a blighted motel property into an innovative civic space that will bring the community together around art in Ogden's dynamic Nine Rails Creative District. The plaza's design, inspired by the region's dynamic landscape, has the flexibility to support many types of art and design, from large-scale installations to small performances, and includes an LED screen for displaying film and video art. An elevated platform known as the plinth provides more space for arts programming, as well as a new perspective on the plaza and its surrounding. The Dumke Arts Plaza is an engaging public space, with interactive play elements, unique lighting, benches, and water-wise landscaping. A major feature of the Dumke Arts Plaza is the Beacon, a new sculpture that extends over 25th Street, inviting visitors to explore the plaza. 

The Matthew S. Browning Design Lab was a key partner on the planning, design, and development of the Dumke Arts Plaza. We continue to support ongoing programming and research at the plaza to ensure the space functions as a welcoming and inspiring space for Ogden residents and visitors.

Program Administrator Jake McIntire and Fellows Thi Nguyen, Isaac Farley, and Mathew Killebrew have worked in collaboration with several on and off campus partners to explore and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Weber and Davis Counties. This project was initiated in 2021 when the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Economic Development Director and key, loyal entrepreneurial stakeholders engaged Matthew S. Browning Design Lab to research the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem with an aim of uncovering key leverage points that could create a more robust, sustainable, and visible environment of entrepreneurship locally. 

This project has worked through three primary phases and continues to be a key research initiative of our Lab. Throughout the phases, the research team has identified, explored, and prototyped solutions related to three areas of opportunity: strategic resources, communication channels, and visibility and culture.