The Arts in Surplus SchoolsAt the same time that schools are closing in many communities because of declining enrollments, the arts are expanding at the community level. The problem of surplus school space can be the solution to the needs of many artists and arts groups. Mutual to the arts groups and the communities are the benefits of flexible arrangements and the presence of desirable tenants who enrich the neighborhood as a community resource. Arguments sometimes raised against locating the arts in surplus school space center around obtaining top dollar for schools, occupancy restrictions, costs of changing occupancy, and fears that the arts are financially risky. These possible disadvantages have been overcome in 23 cases in a variety of communities that demonstrate a range of spatial, financial, programmatic, and governance arrangements, and a broad spectrum of arts uses. Guidelines are offered for carrying out similar projects in other communities. (MLF) |
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33 Art Center adult theater annual rent areas Arlington Arts Center Arlington County artist studios Arts Council arts groups ARTS IN SURPLUS arts organizations Arts-Wayland Atlanta Auburn Civic Theater Auburn public schools auditorium board or municipal Charlottesville children's theater classrooms Committee on Art Corcoran School courtesy educational programs Evanston exhibition space floor former elementary school former school Forrest Avenue Consortium Guild Gunston high school Holiday Inn Jackson School Art located Louis Park Madison Art Center maintenance Maryland Hall McGuffey Art museum Neighborhood Arts Center nity nonprofit offer operating costs Pasadena Art Workshop Pittsfield printmaking Prospect Heights public schools rehearsals reuse School 33 Art School Art Center school board school building school district Spartanburg County square foot Street studio space surplus school space surplus space tenants theater group tion Triangle Cultural Center users utilities V&PA Visual and Performing Wilmette Park District York City Yorktown Heights