Converse today announced that it will be opening it’s new world headquarters on Lovejoy Wharf, order with the company’s new flagship store built in. Located on 160 North Washington St, the very pretty new offices will include a cycling series of pieces from local artists, all to be auctioned at the end of the year to benefit local arts programs. In addition, the new store, opening this Friday, will allow customers to try out the company’s “Blank Canvas” customization, where they will work with artists in-store to customize their own pair of Chuck Taylors.

But this is a music blog, right? What do we care about sneakers? Well as a matter of fact, this sneaker company cares quite a bit about music. Beyond its long-running free concert program, which perhaps experienced its pinnacle with it’s epic, wonderful, punk-as-hell, reaffirming and completely rockin’ five night Sinclair residency two weeks ago, Converse’s Rubber Tracks has a great track record of supporting local musicians. It has booked a lot of fantastic Boston artists incredible opening slots before and now it will give them another opportunity- the new building will also include the third permanent Converse Rubber Tracks recording studio. Bands strapped for cash and looking to record will be apply online for free recording time in the brand new studio when it opens this summer. Yeah, free. You might want to go ahead and check it out here.

Don’t think all this has distracted Converse from it’s free show game any- they’ve booked Wild Nothing at the Sinclair this Friday.