Press Release wrote
City Council, JPMorgan Chase and Columbus Downtown Development Corporation Sponsor Artspace Artist Market Survey
GCAC stays committed to moving artist housing project forward
Columbus, Ohio – Columbus City Council, JPMorgan Chase and Co. and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation will sponsor a survey of local artists that will determine the parameters of an artist live/work project led by Artspace, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to creating affordable arts spaces.
The Greater Columbus Arts Council, which has been working with Artspace to garner support for this initiative, announced today that Artspace will conduct an Artist Market Survey in early 2008. The survey, which will be conducted electronically, will take up to six months to complete and will cost $35,000.
“This project solidifies City Council’s commitment to building a thriving, vibrant downtown, and the need to nurture the creative class in our economy that we believe will be the leaders in making the heart of our city the place we expect it to be,” said Councilwoman Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, who has led City Council’s support of the initiative.
City Council will give $13,500 of the total cost, and JPMorgan Chase will give $17,500. The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation will fund the remaining $4,000.
“The Artspace project has great potential for Columbus across multiple dimensions – as a way to support and inspire our artist community, as an important affordable housing development project that promises to strengthen its host neighborhood, and as a public statement about the quality of, and commitment to, the arts in our community,” said Jeff Lyttle, Regional Vice President of Community Relations for JPMorgan Chase and Co.
In July, Artspace conducted a two-day visit to Columbus to tour several potential sites and meet with arts, civic and business leaders to discuss the feasibility of an Artspace project. In October, Artspace and GCAC released a report that recommended conducting an Artist Market Survey to determine the size of the market for an affordable live/work project. Once the survey is complete, Artspace will work within the community to determine a final location, size and layout for the project and to raise funds to begin construction.
“We are thankful for the collaboration and support that the city, business community and artistic community have shown for this project, and we look forward to taking the next step,” said GCAC President Bryan W. Knicely.
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