Planners' Movie and Meet-up: “Secret Mall Apartment” - Film and Discussion

The Planners' Movie and Meet-up series continues with a screening of the . Sponsored by the , the and the , this event is destined to be a classic in the series!

In 2003, eight young Rhode Islande artists created a secret apartment in a hidden space inside the Providence Place Mall and lived in it for four years, filming everything along the way. They snuck in furniture, tapped into the mall’s electricity, and even secretly constructed a brick wall with a locking door, smuggling in over 2 tons of cinderblock. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret apartment became a deeply meaningful place for all its inhabitants – a personal expression of defiance against local gentrification, a boundary-pushing work of public/private art, and finally, a 750 square foot space that sticks it to the man!

A post film in-person discussion will feature core cast member, artist and (arguably) the founder of the Tape Art movement Michael Townsend! Michael filmed all of the interior footage is and has been recklessly drawing on buildings for over 30 years with and without permission. He has driven over a million miles across the country to spearhead over 500 large-scale Tape Art murals as well as collaborations in dance, film, sculpture, and more than one secret underground installation. He is an avid teacher who believes in the art capabilities of everyone. In the last few decades, he has introduced collaborative drawing to over 60,000 students in environments ranging from community centers and universities to corporate board rooms, prisons, and hospitals. In his other pursuits, he has broken video game world records, saved historic mill buildings from demolition, and will happily turn any space into a sweaty dance floor.

This is yet another event you do not want to miss! Space is limited so sign up now!

When: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

5:30 pm: Networking, appetizers, cash bar

6:30 pm: Showtime

8:00 pm: Discussion with Michael Townsend

Where:

Admission: $5 for current APA-MA, CPM, MAPP members and students and $7 for guests.

This event is jointly sponsored by , and the who are working together again to bring a fantastic continuing education opportunity for their memberships!

This event is approved for 2.5 AICP CE Credits!

Host or Publisher APA-MA