WORDS / ARTSPACE

Artspace will be releasing the results of the Arts Market Study for Little Rock/North Little Rock artists and arts organizations. High demand for affordable space was demonstrated by the 825 individuals who completed the survey. Recommendations will be presented and discussed at a public event, including the community’s specific needs in terms of space and amenities, affordability, and location preferences for multi-use, affordable, and sustainable facilities for artists and arts organizations. Support for the Arts Market Study was provided by Windgate Foundation.

In conjunction with Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the public is invited to attend a public event to thank survey participants for their participation and learn about the recommendations of the study on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. 9th Street, Little Rock. Entertainment, food, and beverages will be provided, with the meeting scheduled to start promptly at 6 p.m.

“We are excited to welcome Artspace back to share the results of the recently completed Arts Market Study and hear their recommendations,“ said Patricia Forgy, executive director, Windgate Foundation. “Your voices were vitally important and we applaud your extraordinary participation in the survey. Thank you! Plan to come join us to hear what the survey participants think are the most important areas for consideration, when developing and designing a possible multi-use facility. An Artspace project in our area would be a great asset as a way to both support our creative community and further encourage social and economic growth.”

Artspace is honored to be invited by the Windgate Foundation to test the feasibility and the market for creating long-term affordable space for artists and cultural organizations in Little Rock and North Little Rock, said Wendy Holmes, Senior VP of Consulting and Strategic Partnerships at Artspace.

“We are extremely impressed with the breadth and depth of the creative community and the passion and drive from both cities, civic leaders and artists alike.  Needless to say, Artspace is excited to reveal the findings of our work and to talk about next steps,” she said.

About Artspace Projects, Inc. — Artspace is a nonprofit organization that uses the tools of real estate development to create affordable places where artists can live and work. Artspace consistently develops these projects in ways that support stable, healthy communities, anchored in existing assets. Because Artspace owns each of the projects it develops, they are able to ensure that the spaces remain affordable and accessible to artists in perpetuity. With 50+ projects developed over the last three decades, Artspace has supported artist-led community transformation, representing a $653 million investment in America’s arts infrastructure. While embracing the value the arts bring to individual lives, Artspace has championed the once-radical idea that both artists living with financial hardship, and chronically underfunded arts organizations, can leverage fundamental social change. With headquarters in Minneapolis and offices in Denver, New York, Seattle, and Washington D.C., Artspace is America’s leading nonprofit developer of arts facilities; and has served as a consultant to hundreds of communities and arts organizations nationwide. www.artspace.org

About Windgate Foundation — Windgate Foundation, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a private, family foundation supporting significant educational programs in contemporary craft and visual arts; funding for K-12 and higher educational institutions for the development and support of the arts, scholarships and effective instructional programs; and programs for disadvantaged children in Arkansas. Since 1993, Windgate has provided over $800 million in grants in 48 states. www.windgatefoundation.org

About The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center  –  The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, dedicated to preserving, interpreting and celebrating African American history and culture in Arkansas. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com