City & LISC Bring Artspace Projects to Richmond for October 24 Public Meeting
Virginia Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the City of Richmond have invited Artspace Projects, Inc., America’s leading nonprofit developer of affordable spaces for artists and creative workers, to Richmond to conduct a Community Needs and Use Assessment with artists and community members. The outcome of the visit will help determine the community’s specific needs in terms of space and amenities, affordability and location preferences for multi-use, affordable and sustainable facilities for artists.
The public is invited to attend a free informational meeting regarding a potential new arts oriented development in Richmond on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at 7 p.m. at the Plant Zero Poetry Slam Stage, 400 Hull Street.
Those who attend the meeting will have the chance to share their thoughts and provide feedback about any future project and its affect on Richmond’s art and business communities. Ideas and suggestions gathered at the meeting will be used by Artspace to gauge community support for the project. Artspace will then deliver a feasibility assessment which Virginia LISC and the City will use to recommend next steps.
“Richmond is quickly becoming the Commonwealth’s arts capital with more than 50 art galleries, tremendous success with events such as First Fridays and the Richmond Mural Project, and home to one of the top public art schools in the country,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “I encourage all residents to participate in this public meeting as we continue to grow Richmond by design.”
“Richmond is home to a thriving arts community who could make great use of a space like this. The opportunity is now,” said Virginia LISC Executive Director, Candice Streett. “We know that the Richmond art community is ready for this.”
“Artspace is thrilled to be working in Richmond. As a cultural destination, Richmond is one of America’s great success stories. But for many Richmond artists, finding affordable space has become increasingly difficult,” said Wendy Holmes, Senior Vice President of Consulting and Strategic Partnerships at Artspace.
About Artspace Projects, Inc.—The mission of Artspace Projects, Inc. is to create, foster and preserve affordable space for artists and art organizations. The organization pursues this mission through development projects, assessment management activities, consulting services and community-building activities that serve artists and art organizations of all of the disciplines, cultures and economic circumstances. By creating this space, Artspace supports the continued professional growth of artists and enhances the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community.
About Virginia LISC-- Virginia LISC believes in helping neighbors build strong communities. By providing grants, working capital, development funds and technical support to nonprofit developers and localities, Virginia LISC has created opportunities for dozens of neighborhoods to received strategic real estate investments, providing families with access to better housing, childcare and employment choices. For more information about Virginia LISC, visit the website at www.virginialisc.org. Virginia LISC is the Virginia office of the national Local Initiatives Support Corporation nonprofit, which works in community development across the country. LISC consults with community development organizations to ensure that they form appropriate business plans, create solid financing strategies and secure the right human and capital resources before new projects are launched.