Proposal for the Foundry building in East Cambridge. Prepared for City Councilors and the School Committee: An investment in this building will be sustained and augmented in the future by creating a center that does not yet exist in Cambridge. For those (still) concerned about the fiscal feasibility of creating a Cambridge Center for Community Arts, there are many studies that show the clear financial benefits of the arts. This, from the New England Foundation for the Arts: More than 8,000 arts and cultural nonprofits in Massachusetts, which employ 27,100 people, spend $2.1 billion annually and generate another $2.5 billion of economic activity across the state, according to a newly released study of the impact of the creative sector. My proposal is to have the Foundry house an Arts Magnate School, affordable artist housing and community fine and performing arts spaces. The School (starting with middle school, progressing to add K-6), would use part of the facility during the day. An educational opportunity lacking in this fine City, it would offer unparalleled access across socio-economic strata. This would provide direct integrative learning to the students, while educating and involving their families and peers. A section of the building would be artist housing (below market rate] for 4 units; artist having access to building facilities. The rest of the building would be a combination of studio, rehearsal, resource, performance and exhibit space; with a mix of free and rentable access. This would include classrooms for music lessons (for the school and public), writing and collaborating, practice halls and labs. The Foundry Center for the Fine and Performing Arts would be able to house the community music program from Longy an important community driven component that enriches musicians and the City alike, and facilities for local rehearsals of many groups and individuals. With the incredible wealth of locally-based and visiting international talent, the opportunities for Master Classes and innovative ventures are unlimited. In my experience, investing in a resource like this not only supports the City but creates an amazing ambiance by letting professionals and avocationals of all ages and backgrounds interact on a daily basis. The Foundry, like its neighbors, would be an incubator for collaborative and cutting edge development in the arts, while serving as an enticement for forming lasting and long term commitments for businesses and families alike in this area of the City. In this center of intellectual challenge, a place for learning, creating and appreciating the fine and performing arts; another reason to live in Cambridge.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 15:23:48 +0000
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