Phoenix artists and community members gathered at Burton Barr Central Library on Wednesday night to hear Artspace pitch live-work units for artists in the Phoenix area.
Established in 1979, the nonprofit organization has since created more than 36 major projects across 14 different states and Washington, D.C. These projects represent nearly 2,000 live-work units and millions of square feet on residential and non-residential spaces. Artspace has already worked with Avondale and Mesa.
“We’d like to see what the community needs,” said Wendy Holmes, Artspace’s senior vice president of consulting and strategic partnerships. “Creating affordable housing and space is what we’re about.”
Arizona Forward invited Artspace to look at more areas in Arizona because of its prominent art scenes. The Minnesota-based organization turned to Phoenix because of its strong artistic atmosphere and its culture for both artists and non-artists.
“There’s a good dynamic here and we can see that with all the galleries and artists that come this way,” Holmes said.
While in Phoenix, Artspace members spent their time holding focus group sessions to see what people wanted from them. The organization can now move forward with a survey process, the same one Mesa had in 2013, that will expose whether or not the city sees a need for affordable spaces.
“It’s up to you (the citizens) to get behind the legislatures and tell them you need it, because that’s how everything gets started,” said Stacey Mickelson, Artspace’s vice president of government relations.
Artspace will begin seeking land or buildings to develop into live-work spaces if the focus groups, legislative process and survey show a need from artists.
Although Artspace is known for restoring old buildings, the group also does various new construction projects for both residential and non-residential developments.
Each space is funded differently. The space can be privately funded by foundations and corporations, or given publicly by the state and other charities.
Artists at the meeting suggested that Artspace use the abandoned National Guard building located near McDowell and 52nd streets or the various vacant lots throughout the downtown area to build the space.
“Time is of the essence with this development because I feel like we’re losing the community,” local artist Adam Jacobsen said. “With something like this maybe it will bring it back.”
There is an application process to live in an Artspace building. Artist applicants must demonstrate that their household income and assets qualify within the low income tax housing tax credit.
The applicant must also demonstrate that they are an artist, which includes music, writing, fire arts, etc., and show that they are actively creating a career out of their art. Artists are able to renew their applications as long as they continue to fall under the low income tax housing credit and contribute to the Artspace community.
“We hope we have advocates here in Phoenix that want us here,” Holmes said. “We want to be here.”
Contact the reporter at Amber.Franklin@asu.edu
