Downtown Cairo’s ‘Street of Art’ Expands Across El Borsa Area

A new public arts initiative titled Street of Art is reshaping parts of Downtown Cairo through a mix of live performance spaces, street arts programming, and urban redevelopment centred around the Bourse Triangle and Sherifeen Street.

The project aims to transform public areas into open-air cultural spaces hosting music, visual arts, dance, theatre, and heritage performances while expanding access to the arts for wider audiences and emerging talent.

Implemented through a cooperation protocol between the Cairo Governorate and the Academy of Arts under the Jusour Al Ibdaa framework, the initiative also includes the introduction of a Kiosk of Music and Arts in parks and gardens across the city.

According to officials, Cairo Governorate is overseeing logistical and financial support alongside permits and venue preparation, while the Academy of Arts is responsible for artistic supervision, programme design, and participant selection.

Plans also include establishing a specialised technical and artistic support centre intended to prepare emerging artists for the professional market while supporting broader efforts linked to public engagement with the arts and cultural identity.

The urban development component includes the pedestrianisation of Sherifeen Street, restoration work on surrounding building facades, and infrastructure upgrades throughout the district. Future phases are expected to extend into Al Qadi Al Fadel Passage and nearby side streets as part of wider redevelopment plans for Downtown Cairo.

Programming introduced through the initiative has included live painting, music, singing, dance, ballet, puppetry, and caricature performances, alongside heritage arts including tahtib and tannoura as well as international performance styles.