PLACEMAKING STRATEGIES, PROGRAMMING & MARKETING
Third Space Creative is a woman-owned, boutique consultancy that partners with destinations and organizations to plan, implement, and manage creative placemaking strategies that drive meaningful marketing, economic, and social outcomes.
Inspired by the concept of “third places”—the essential shared spaces and experiences that add vibrancy and help communities thrive—we have a passion for places, and are ready to work with your community and team.
BUILDING PLACES WITH PURPOSE
CONSULTING SERVICES
We support place management organizations, destinations, real estate developments, and organizations with strategy, program development & implementation, marketing & staffing.
STRATEGIC PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
We work closely with your team to develop placemaking strategy that aligns on goals, priorities, resources, and partnerships. Our approach connects vision to execution—translating strategy into actionable plans that include tailored programming recommendations, detailed implementation roadmaps, and measurable steps for success. The result: initiatives that are designed to deliver lasting impact and organizational momentum.
Arts + Culture
Experiences & MARKETING
We believe in the power of arts and culture to transform places, spark engagement, and strengthen community connections. Whether launching a new project or collaborating with arts partners, we bring experience in developing innovative concepts and building impactful programs. With expertise in marketing and communications, we also create and implement strategies that amplify awareness and participation.
Project Management & STAFFING
With over 20 years of experience leading programs, teams, budgets, and strategic initiatives, we provide dependable support when your organization is at capacity, requires short-term project expertise, or is navigating staff transitions. Whether managing a specific project, overseeing an entire program, or stepping in on an interim basis, we deliver stability and expertise to keep the work moving.
CLIENTS & PARTNERS
TESTIMONIALS
“We worked with Nancy Miyahira at Third Space Creative to rollout and promote Art Ave, an immersive art experience in the Golden Triangle. We needed to reach District residents as well as regional and national visitors to market Art Ave as a destination-worthy experience, and Nancy provided the expertise and connections that helped us get the most value for our efforts. She worked within our defined budget and suggested scalable options; tracked and met deadlines within the project schedule, flexing when needed; conducted research, outreach, and follow up on our behalf; served as a staff extender for our launch event; and provided us with useful marketing metrics throughout the campaign. I enjoyed working with Nancy and appreciated the many insights she shared from her experience to help shape our campaign. Her hands-on approach and the strategic and creative solutions she contributed measurably broadened the impact of our marketing.”
–Miranda Woolston, Director of Communications, Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID)
"As a new organization with an unexpected personnel transition in placemaking leadership, our team needed a unicorn of a consultant: A subject matter expert also comfortable doing day-to-day execution. We simultaneously required a “30,000 foot” thinker who could help guide and finalize our multi-year Placemaking Framework process with sophisticated stakeholders, and an effective tactician who could get, for example, delayed wayfinding obelisks printed and installed. We are so lucky to have found that impossible combination in Nancy! Her depth of knowledge and experience in the field and the region is matched only by her positivity and commitment to getting the job done, no matter how big or small. My team adored working with her, and all of us – including me, as the organization’s executive – learned so much from our time collaborating with her."
-Katie Cristol, CEO, Tysons Community Alliance
ABOUT
Third Space Creative Founder and CEO Nancy Miyahira is an urban place management leader specializing in Strategic Planning, Marketing, Program Development and Arts programming to strengthen organizations and enhance the brand experience. As the Vice President of Marketing for the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) from 2009-2024, she oversaw marketing strategy, events and communications to promote Georgetown as a destination to local, national and international visitors. She currently serves her anchor clients, Georgetown Heritage and the Georgetown BID, as the Director of Arts & Culture Programs for Georgetown.
Nancy led the BID’s first major public art placemaking initiative for Georgetown in 2014, launching D.C.’s only free outdoor Light Art exhibition, Georgetown GLOW. Nancy has worked with over 70 local, national and international artists and has cultivated a growing local, national and international network of art industry relationships.
In June 2024, she spearheaded the BID’s first ever Fête de la Musique - World Music Day, partnering with the Embassy of France for a night of 40+ musical acts in 30 locations. She has facilitated art partnerships with local organizations and events, hosting creative activations in outdoor public spaces and inside vacant spaces. She also served as the interim Placemaking Director for the Tysons Community Alliance in 2024 and assists other clients and partners with arts marketing and strategic planning projects.
Prior to the Georgetown BID, Nancy worked in Retail Marketing and Commercial Real Estate for Nordstrom, The Mills [acquired by Simon Property Group], Gensler and Duke Realty Corporation [acquired by Prologis].
Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Nancy is a resident of Washington, DC. She is a board member of Hamiltonian Artists and has served as a member of the Hirshhorn Collector’s Council, and the Public Art Advisory Committee for Art at Amtrak. She remains active in the International Downtown Association and ArtTable.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Please reach out to discuss a project, a specific need or with any questions. I would love to connect!
Email Nancy@ThirdSpaceCreative.com
Connect on LinkedIn