episode 1: Seeking Space
Finding space to rehearse and perform in New York City’s competitive real estate market can be daunting. Whether they are scraping together rent, fixing up a raw warehouse, or foregoing walls altogether, nomadic artists have been challenged and inspired by the creative pursuit of space.
View all EpisodesFeatured in this Episode
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Arthur Aviles
Co-Founder, BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance ?
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Yehuda Duenyas
Co-Artistic Director, The National Theater of the United States of America ?
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Melanie Joseph
Artistic Producer/Founder, The Foundry Theatre ?
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Charles Rice-Gonzalez
Co-Founder, BAAD! (Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance) ?
Relevant Videos
Resources:
News
An article on theater rentals in the five boroughs from New York Innovative Theater Awards.
Gauging Artists’ Contribution to Property ValuesThe City Room Blog reflects on the New York Times article about Elizabeth Streb’s studio and questions the relationship between artists and property values.
A look at how choreographer Elizabeth Streb and a real estate developer worked together to allow Streb’s studio to remain even as million dollar properties are built around it.
Bill T. Jones and Dance Theater WorkshopBill T. Jones and Dance Theater Workshop are in talks to merge to Bill T. a much needed home and DTW the funds to retire $2.4 million in capital debt.
3-Legged Dog refuses to roll over for MTA3-Legged-Dog is fighting the Metropolitan Transit Authority to ensure that this media and theater group remains at 80 Greenwich St.
NY TImes: Keeping it Small at The Chocolate FactorySince its founding, seven years ago, the Chocolate Factory in Queens, is a relatively small space, with great artists passing through its doors. The Theatre has "a very canny way of understanding how culture fits into the imaginative and social lives of audience members".
Ohio Theatre & 3-Legged Dog PartnershipThe Ohio Theater after losing their Soho home has announced a 3-year residency at the downtown 3-Legged Dog Art & Technology Center.
Organizations
Provides vacant real estate as "swing space" for artists, awards grants, and offer professional development.
NYC Performing Arts SpacesA comprehensive online resource for NYC arts space.
Harkness Space Grant Program
Brooklyn Arts Exchange70 hour space grants for Brooklyn based artists
chashamaSpace residencies and subsidies for studio/rehearsal space
Fourth Artist Block (FAB)Organization to establish and advance the East 4th Street cultural District, between 2nd Avenue and Bowery.
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)Offers support via their fellowships and "affordable workspace program" to NYFA grantees.
New York State Council on the Arts/NYSCASubsidized rehearsal space program for dance studios.
The FieldResidencies in dance include extensive rehearsal studio time, consultation/development services, and workshop production support.
The Point Subsidy ProgramDedicated to the cultural and economic revitalization of the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. They provide discounted or free performance and/or rehearsal space.
Manhattan PlazaThe federal Department of Housing and Urban Development subsidizes the rents of Section 8 tenants; to be eligible a couple's income cannot exceed $54,270 and a family of four can earn no more than $67,837. The wait list is very long but write to the main office requesting an application.
The Elizabeth Foundation for the ArtsThe EFA Studio program is a competitive studio program that offers subsidized studio space for artists within a community of artists in Midtown Manhattan. Cost of each studio varies by size and location in the building. Subsidies are available to members on a need basis. The amount of subsidy that each artist receives is based on income. Studios range in size from 200 square feet to 430 square feet and a price range of $350.00 - $1900.00.
Mark Morris Dance GroupLocated in Brooklyn, near BAM, Mark Morris Dance Group has high quality floors, a great sound system and light; however, they are a little pricey. MMDG has six fully-equipped studios available for rent ranging from a subsidized rate of $10/hr to a workshop rate of $60/hr.
Topaz Arts Inc.In Queens near the Northern Boulevard is Topaz Arts, has dance rehearsal space available. A 25' x 48' with a marley-laid sprung heated floor; the 13'-high ceiling is accented with a skylight and the room is equipped with full-length mirrors, and audio/video equipment.
Clemente Soto Velez: Cultural and Education CenterClemente Soto Velez: Cultural and Education Center houses 53 visual artists and 16 performing arts and educational organizations. They also rent out their two theaters, two art galleries and rehearsal space. To be considered for the housing, send artist's information to CSV Cultural & Educational Center or contact jrosario@csvcenter.net to rent their facilities.
OurGoodsOurGoods is a barter network for the creative community. We facilitate the barter of skills, space, labor, and art objects. They are an innovative model for supporting the work of artists, matching barter partners, providing accountability tools, and offering technical assistance resources.
Research
The Center for an Urban Future's 2005 report "Creative New York" explores the economic contribution of New York's vast creative sector.
Culture Builds New York: The Economic Impact of Capital Construction at New York City's Cultural Institutions, 2003-2010When the cultural institutions of a great city are themselves actively building new and expanded facilitates, it marks a high point of civilization. As this 2009 report shows such is the case in New York City now and for the past two decades.
A survey of cultural facilities in the five boroughs to assess the impact of the economic downturn on the two groups.
Harnessing Brooklyn’s Creative CapitalThe Impact of Self-Employed Creative Professionals on the Borough’s Economy
Arts as an Industry: Their Economic Impact on New York City and New York StateThis 2007 report shows that the arts industry has grown as a part of the economic life of New York City and is an integral part of the economy of the entire state of New York.
discussions:
Submit a topic-
Kate Stannard said:
Made Here project is a fantastic way of creating a community and supporting inspiring infrastructure for NYC Artists, as well as educating other artists, students and academics outwith the city. Genius! This is a great resource I have emailed the info out to all my students. Fantastic!
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Maedhbh Fiona Mc Cullagh said:
I just wanted to say that I have been glued to the website for MADE HERE this past hour. It’s a truly inspiring documentary and fascinating to watch. This work creates an important legacy of what is happening right now and it is a gift to the community. Congratulations to you all.
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Anna Kohler said:
I really enjoyed the videos, lovely work, witty and funny and I can’t wait to see more.
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Ann Rosenthal said:
Congrats on Made Here! It’s really great and fantastically well filmed/produced. I can see that once all of these films are made it will make a more than compelling case for the importance of artists in this city…and why they should be better supported forever!
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Marya said:
I love this. well made. important. thanks for adding to the conversation!
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William Cusick said:
I saw the first episode today. It’s sooo good!! It’s really exciting to see such an intelligent and well conceived documentary series on NYC theater artists. And I love the theme song.
Great stuff!
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Cesar Augusto said:
Amazing website with the kind of support I need. Keep going guys!!
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Anne said:
Thanks for providing a great platform to all artists! All artists face the same basic problems at some point in their career and this website offers valuable advice on balancing a family, finding a space and working in a crap-job in order to supplement your income. Thanks!
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Amos said:
very cool….grazie!!!
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shyam said:
Love it! Thank you for such these awesome conversations. After years in New York, I’m working on a specific set of projects in solitude in Chicago, where the pressure to make rent is a little less intense. I’m looking forward to coming back to the city soon, though! There’s nowhere like New York.
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Alexis said:
Check out this essay about the history of the plot of land on which the Ohio Theatre stands and also discusses the relationship between artists and real estate developers:
Re-examining the Soho Effect
From a freed slave to a theater company; how the poor and creative made 64-68 Wooster Street more valuable.
http://bit.ly/c9nONU -
WifsNumum said:
Aloha all, nifty site I have found It extremely accessible & it has helped me out loads
I hope to contribute & support other people like this forum has helped me -
Yvette Martinez said:
Thank you!!
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Jefe Sativa said:
Baadaass!
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Cecilia Copeland said:
Thank you for the continued work addressing issues about American life & the American DREAM!
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jennifer sanchez said:
this is great - thanks so much!
but i don’t hear the sound on the past 3 episode. computer is not on mute and i can hear the audio on other things. help? -
maryobeora said:
oooooh! I do not even know how I got here, but this is GREAT! I am a theatre loving
Architect and this is site is built beautifully. THank you. -
Mieke D said:
Thank GOD you’re taking on this task of generating dialogue about what it MEANS to be an artist and how to make it happen on the daily. This particular segment brings together some amazing voices of artists struggling (successfully) to remain relevant in the avant garde arts world while also engaging in community-building, political activism, race & class at the same time. As perfomer-turned-community organizer, I would love to see more in depth investigation into how artists define their activism, the communities they collaborate with, and the concrete effects they wish to have. I would also like to hear more from artist-activists working on the ground in marginalized communities. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! AND KEEP PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES!
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Fernando Maneca said:
Awesome site and it was great meeting all these great artists and performing arts advocates last night at the screening of this episode at The Cave, in Brooklyn. Technology in the Arts, and in life in general, is a fascinating issue that deserves much more discussion.
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m0pornh0 said:
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<a >free porn</a> -
The Rev said:
I’m glad all NYC artists aren’t fools. After months and months I see I’m just finding the dregs right now. I gotta keep digging. PS- How about some musicians. We have slightly different and interesting challenges
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noor said:
i am interestong real estate projects
your stories:
Share your story- How does real estate impact your ability to create?
- What is your favorite neighborhood performance space? Why?
- Give us a tour of your rehearsal, performance, or live/work space!
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From Daniel A. Pinero:
Daniel A. Pinero (professionally known as DP One), a self employed DJ, discusses how difficult it is to practice his craft.
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From Alexis Clements:
Alexis Clements, a performing artist, discusses rent, gentrification, and what’s happening in Bushwich.
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From The Door:
Student testimonials about the importance of The Door in their lives, the surrounding community and the hip-hop world.
