PLACEMAKING STRATEGIES, PROGRAMMING & MARKETING
Third Space Creative is a boutique placemaking consultancy that works with communities to implement creative placemaking strategies and arts programming for positive marketing, economic and social outcomes.
We’re inspired by the notion of “third places” as essential spaces and experiences to add vibrancy and build healthy communities.
building places with purpose
services
We support districts and communities with creating and marketing vibrant brand experiences.
STRATEGIC PLANNING & Programming
Whether you’re creating new placemaking programming or refreshing existing efforts, we work closely with your team to align on goals, priorities, resources, and partnerships. From there, we develop comprehensive strategies that include recommended experiential programming, detailed implementation plans, and clear steps for execution—ensuring your initiatives are both impactful and sustainable.
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.
SHORT-TERM Project Management
With more than 20 years of experience leading programs, teams, budgets, and strategic planning, we provide reliable support when your organization is at capacity, needs short-term project expertise or is navigating staff transitions. Whether it’s managing a specific project, overseeing an entire program, or stepping in on an interim basis, we bring stability and expertise to keep work moving forward.
About
Third Space Creative is inspired by the notion of ‘third places’ – where people experience, interact and find a sense of place outside of home and work. We help commercial districts, communities and real estate developments to enhance ‘third places and spaces’ through experiential programming and a foundational strategic plan.
Our mission is to bring creative experiences and opportunities to people, communities and spaces through the transformative power of arts and culture programming. We have a passion for places, and are ready to work with your community and team to build vibrant brand experiences.
TESTIMONIAL
“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
Leadership
Third Space Creative Founder and President Nancy Miyahira is an urban place management leader specializing in Strategic Planning, Marketing, and Arts programming to strengthen organizations and enhance a district’s visitor 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 is currently the Director of Arts & Culture Programs for Georgetown Heritage, a 501c3 nonprofit partner of the Georgetown BID.
Nancy led the BID’s first major public art placemaking initiative for the commercial district 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 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 is working on arts marketing and strategic planning projects in 2025.
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]. She has an MBA from The George Washington University and a BS in Journalism from the University of Maryland.
A resident of Washington, DC, she is a board member of Hamiltonian Artists, a member of the Hirshhorn Collector’s Council, is on the Public Art Advisory Committee for Art at Amtrak at Washington’s Union Station, has served on grant panels for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and is a member of ArtTable and the International Downtown Association.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
For more information, please fill out the form or email Nancy@ThirdSpaceCreative.com. Would love to hear from you!
