April 8 town hall to launch creative live/work space study

A redeveloped live-work artist workspace in Buffalo is one example of the work of Artspace, which will conduct a study of the needs for such space in Kansas City. Photo courtesy Artspace.

The city wants to know how much demand there is for live/work spaces for creative types.

A nonprofit developer of affordable spaces for artists and other creative workers called Artspace Projects is coming to Kansas City to study the capacity and need here and to get feedback from the community. Artspace has worked with communities across the country “to create, foster and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations.”

The city says Artspace will examine the needs specific to Kansas City’s arts community in terms of space and amenities, affordability, and location preferences.

Ideas gathered at an April 8th meeting will be used by Artspace Projects to gauge community support. Artspace will then deliver a feasibility assessment which will be used by city leaders to propose next steps.

“Artspace brings exceptional experience working with communities and understanding the unique needs of functional live/work spaces for creative workers,” said Megan Crigger, Director of Creative Services. “The findings from the Artspace report could support affordable housing in future development projects, providing the opportunity for the local arts and business communities to continue to thrive in the urban core.”

One example of an Artspace project is the redevelopment of the historic Buffalo, New York Electric Vehicle Company into an affordable artist live/work project.  Artspace says on its website that Buffalo was looking for ways to spark economic development in its aging neighborhoods. The Artspace Buffalo Lofts, developed in partnership with the Belmont Shelter Corporation, now provides 60 units of affordable housing for artists and their families, several new residential units on the property, commercial space, a community gallery managed by the property’s resident artists, and a  Center for Arts and Technology offering after-school visual arts programs for at-risk high school students and health sciences career training for under-employed and unemployed adults.

 Details

• Town Hall Meeting with Artspace Projects, Inc.
• Wednesday, April 8, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street, (Cohen Center, lower level)