Artspace Projects Inc.
Mission Statement
"To create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists and art organizations."
Pursuing the mission through:
development projects
asset management
consulting service
community-building activities through art
Artspace Inc. is a unique organization in that it caters specifically to the needs of the artist community. As a national non-profit organization, it has expanded to include museums, community centers, and performing arts centers in addition to artist housing. Artspace Inc. has been in charge of the renovation of 14 completed projects with 7 others already in progress.
Artspace Inc. has the advantage of being a nationally known organization with the sole purpose of remodeling existing structures to provide much needed art spaces in urban centers. In the 25 years of the program's existence, it has established a proven track record of effective fund-raising from both public and private benefactors. Through the level of experience of Artspace Inc. has gained, they have also developed a working knowledge of HUD Section 220 and other federal and local programs that can be utilized for the renovations. Developing and fostering an active artist community is often important to local municipalities, but Artspace Inc. provides a vital service by organizing, publicizing, and gathering funding for such projects.
Examples of Completed Projects:
Portland, OR - Everett Station Lofts
Completed in 1989, this renovation project incorporated three adjacent buildings into a 67,000 square foot space with 47 living and working units in total. This building has proven especially important for artists as the neighborhood has begun to undergo a process of 'gentrification', which would otherwise displace these working-class artisans. The community has undergone a period of reinvigoration spurred by the expansion of the neighboring Pearl District.
In addition to the housing/work units, there are also 16 store-fronts that have been reserved for artists who agree to provide public access to their studios for art walks. The public art walks are modeled after the 'First Thursday Art Walk' program in Seattle, it actually goes by the same name, but at the Everett Station Lofts the artists open their studio space, which negates the need to cancel the events due to adverse weather.
Other examples of projects in development:
Minneapolis, MN - Minnesota Shubert Center
The property was acquired in 1998 and is scheduled to be completed in late 2006. The project involves a $34.25 million renovation of the historic Shubert Playhouse, which was originally built in 1910. Since the original opening, the playhouse has been the venue of an eclectic variety of performances and entertainment art forms including: theater, burlesque, and finally wide screen cinema. Since 1982, the structure has stood vacant.
The building itself was moved two-blocks to its current location; an endeavor that took two weeks, requiring dozens of workers and 120 hydraulic jacks. The center will focus on providing housing and space for performing artists as well as education programs. The performance focus of this project is important because many of the other artist housing buildings are specifically tailored to visual artists.
Upon completion, a new stage house will be added and it will be connected to an adjacent Artspace project, the Hennepin Center for the Arts, by means of a glass-and-steel atrium. One of the main focuses of the exhibition space will be for dance performance and education. Because of the unique vision for the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center, there will be unique elements of the renovated Shubert Center that are not found in the traditional artist lofts. For example, enhanced acoustics and mirrored-practice space will be incorporated into the final plans.
Jackson, MI - Armory Arts Project
The property is located in "Renaissance Zone" that will undergo a $14 million historical renovation. The project is aimed at providing space to literary, visual, graphic, and performing artists. The surrounding area was formerly zoned industrial, but with the decline of factories in the Michigan area left the space mostly desolate. The compound consists of six buildings in total, one of which will be transformed into a residential unit capable of housing 35 individuals and families. The other buildings will be rented/leased out to non-profit arts and cultural education organizations. Artspace Inc. is also hoping to attract art-related businesses to the area. The projected completion date for this project is set for early 2005.
In total the complex is a vast 147,000 square feet and includes a retro prison (1839). The purpose of this community renewal project is to infuse capital and rejuvenate the outskirts of Jackson, Michigan. The renovation plans aim to preserve the exteriors of the buildings and to comply with other regulations in order to utilize the Historic Tax Preservation Tax Credits program. The main building, slated to become the residential space, was built in 1911.
Home Page Introduction Pioneer Square Artist Housing Needs
First Thursday Artwalk Application Process Assistance for Artists Pro Forma
HUD Social Impacts Dissenting Opinion Conclusion