Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Stories of the Stimulus - Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
This is the first of an ongoing series of interviews and case studies we are collecting from arts organizations who are using American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds to support their mission. If you know of an arts organization, who has accessed ARRA funds please let us know (laura@springboardforthearts.org)
The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center was one of the first Twin Cities arts organizations to apply for ARRA funds outside of the NEA. We asked board member Victoria Lauing to give us some insight into the process (and the paperwork!) that was involved:
How did you find out about the opportunity to use ARRA/stimulus money for this project? Did another agency approach you or did you seek it out?
In May, we were notified of the opportunity to apply for ARRA (CDBG-R) funds by the project coordinator we've been working with at the City of Minneapolis's Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) department, Rebecca Parrell. The City of Minneapolis purchased the building that will be our future home in 2008 and we've worked closely with Rebecca and others in CPED since then. The turnaround time to apply for these funds was quite short and the City focused on projects that, like ours, were already in the pipeline and could get underway quickly with ARRA assistance. A total of 32 projects were considered for these CDBG-R funds, and ours was one of 9 to share in the $3.6 million that the City will receive from HUD.
Describe the project/position you are using the ARRA funds to support?
We were awarded $275,000 to assist with the financing of construction and build-out costs for the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC). CAFAC is a new arts organization devoted to art forms produced by heat, spark, or flame, which include sculptural welding, blacksmithing, foundry, glassworking, jewelry making, and more. We will offer classes, open to anyone with an interest, from youth to adult, and beginners to master-levels artists. Our facility will also contain studios which we'll lease to working and emerging artists, and a gallery space for students' or visiting artists' work. Our building is located at the intersection of 38th and Chicago in South Minneapolis. This gift represents a significant portion of our overall budget and puts us in a position to begin construction this year, with the hope of opening our doors in early 2010.
Was this project/position something you were already going to do or did you create it in order to be eligible for ARRA support?
This project - the acquisition and remodeling of our future home - is one we've been working on actively for two years.
Are you working with another agency or branch of government in order to get the ARRA support?
We've been working with the City of Minneapolis from the outset of this effort, in partnership with Artspace Projects, who will purchase the building, oversee its renovation, and be our future landlord.
Is there extra reporting or other administrative requirements with the ARRA money?
Definitely, although we'll be relying on the talented staff at CPED to help us navigate that. One initial requirement that we must meet is ensuring that all subcontractors working on our project are meeting prevailing wage standards as outlined in the Davis-Bacon Act. Additionally, use of CDBG-R funds requires that all construction products are made in the USA.
So, how’s it going?
At this point, we are awaiting a final piece of financing, at which time Artspace and the City can set a closing date. We have continued to fine-tune our renovation plans and will begin construction immediately.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Our project is really a testament to the power of collaboration, and of how the momentum that collaboration brings about can lead to amazing developments, even in challenging times. Our founding board members are all residents of the neighborhood in which CAFAC will be located, who decided to combine our time and talents to bring what we believe will be a fantastic amenity to our community. But without the support of the City of Minneapolis staff, of the City Council, of Artspace, and of countless artists and neighborhood residents, we would not be where we are today. We're incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with all these people and thrilled to open our doors to the community.
This is the first of an ongoing series of interviews and case studies we are collecting from arts organizations who are using American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds to support their mission. If you know of an arts organization, who has accessed ARRA funds please let us know (laura@springboardforthearts.org)
The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center was one of the first Twin Cities arts organizations to apply for ARRA funds outside of the NEA. We asked board member Victoria Lauing to give us some insight into the process (and the paperwork!) that was involved:How did you find out about the opportunity to use ARRA/stimulus money for this project? Did another agency approach you or did you seek it out?
In May, we were notified of the opportunity to apply for ARRA (CDBG-R) funds by the project coordinator we've been working with at the City of Minneapolis's Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) department, Rebecca Parrell. The City of Minneapolis purchased the building that will be our future home in 2008 and we've worked closely with Rebecca and others in CPED since then. The turnaround time to apply for these funds was quite short and the City focused on projects that, like ours, were already in the pipeline and could get underway quickly with ARRA assistance. A total of 32 projects were considered for these CDBG-R funds, and ours was one of 9 to share in the $3.6 million that the City will receive from HUD.
Describe the project/position you are using the ARRA funds to support?
We were awarded $275,000 to assist with the financing of construction and build-out costs for the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC). CAFAC is a new arts organization devoted to art forms produced by heat, spark, or flame, which include sculptural welding, blacksmithing, foundry, glassworking, jewelry making, and more. We will offer classes, open to anyone with an interest, from youth to adult, and beginners to master-levels artists. Our facility will also contain studios which we'll lease to working and emerging artists, and a gallery space for students' or visiting artists' work. Our building is located at the intersection of 38th and Chicago in South Minneapolis. This gift represents a significant portion of our overall budget and puts us in a position to begin construction this year, with the hope of opening our doors in early 2010.
Was this project/position something you were already going to do or did you create it in order to be eligible for ARRA support?
This project - the acquisition and remodeling of our future home - is one we've been working on actively for two years.
Are you working with another agency or branch of government in order to get the ARRA support?
We've been working with the City of Minneapolis from the outset of this effort, in partnership with Artspace Projects, who will purchase the building, oversee its renovation, and be our future landlord.
Is there extra reporting or other administrative requirements with the ARRA money?
Definitely, although we'll be relying on the talented staff at CPED to help us navigate that. One initial requirement that we must meet is ensuring that all subcontractors working on our project are meeting prevailing wage standards as outlined in the Davis-Bacon Act. Additionally, use of CDBG-R funds requires that all construction products are made in the USA.
So, how’s it going?
At this point, we are awaiting a final piece of financing, at which time Artspace and the City can set a closing date. We have continued to fine-tune our renovation plans and will begin construction immediately.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Our project is really a testament to the power of collaboration, and of how the momentum that collaboration brings about can lead to amazing developments, even in challenging times. Our founding board members are all residents of the neighborhood in which CAFAC will be located, who decided to combine our time and talents to bring what we believe will be a fantastic amenity to our community. But without the support of the City of Minneapolis staff, of the City Council, of Artspace, and of countless artists and neighborhood residents, we would not be where we are today. We're incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with all these people and thrilled to open our doors to the community.
# posted by laura @ 4:36 PM 
