home | site map | contact
albus cavus
current banner


Albus Cavus builds strong and healthy communities through public art and creative collaborations. Well designed public space improves community dynamics, has a positive impact on public health, learning and school performance of the young residents, contributes to sustainable local economy and creates sense of ownership and responsibility. Our goal is to create new cities where citizens participate as active designers and builders of public spaces in their neighborhoods. We aim to achieve this through community public art, innovative workshops and school programs, interactive events and open creative spaces.

Problems we address
Poorly designed and non-maintained spaces discourage social interactions and getting to know neighbors. This alienation promotes social disorder, vandalism, crime, drug abuse, traffic violations, and littering, which in turn affects residents' sense of well-being and discourages the development of community ownership and responsibility. Read more...


Advisory Board:

Aseem Bhandari
Diagnostic Radiologist, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park NY

Melissa Calabrese
Educator, Gear Up Program, Michigan University, Ann Arbor MI

Michael Ciccotello
Art & Design Director, Telos Corporation, Eatontown NJ

Philip Hutinet
Chief Operating Officer, ARCH Development Corporation, Washington DC

Marni Leikin
Visual Arts Program Content Manager, DCPS, Washington DC

Connie Leonard
Individual Donor Coordinator, NJ Performing Arts Center, Newark NJ

Zachary Lyman
Managing Partner, Reluminati, Washington DC

Sam Missimer
Head of Sustainable Design, Advanced Glazings, Cape Breton NS / Princeton NJ

Matthew Stephenson
Economic Team Leader, U.S. Department of State, Washington DC

Peter Winant
Co-Chair of Art Department, George Mason University, Vienna VA

Nicole Wines
Executive Director, Raices Cultural Center, New Brunswick NJ

Susan Winkler
Director of Procurement Process, Polo Ralph Lauren, New York NY


Mission Statement
Albus Cavus, a collective of artists, scientists and educators, utilizes arts to:

- Promote development of strong and healthy communities by involving the residents in projects that result in improved public, gathering and common spaces.

- Design and develop novel interactive and participatory art projects in public space.

- Reinvent existing public spaces that are underutilized, neglected and abandoned.

- Cultivate healthy development of young residents through practical experience in complex projects that encourage team work and democratic process.

- Support artistic excellence by providing necessary consulting services, supplies and mentorship to emerging artists.

What does the name mean?
albus cavus - white cave (latin) - refers to the basement where the first shows were held. This small underground space in an old house in New Brunswick NJ provided opportunities for artists to share their art between 2002 and 2003. Since then the group has grown into an organization that promotes the idea that art is an essential part of everyone's life and that city residents have the right to healthy and well designed public spaces.

BBC World News 2010:


News 12 NJ 2006:


Featured in:

...the complete list


We couldn't beautify
our communities without
the generosity of our supporters.
To make a tax-deductible donation,
please click here... Thank you!
albus cavus ...bringing free art to the streets since 2002