One of the greatest obstacles that artists are currently facing while living in New York City is affordability. To combat this challenge, ArtBuilt Brooklyn, a nonprofit arts organization, has already begun construction on the 50,000 square feet space at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
ArtBuilt has partnered with The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) to provide affordable long-term leases for arts-based work spaces. Set to open in late 2017, ArtBuilt will have room for approximately 50 different individual artists and arts-based small businesses with spaces ranging from 250 square feet to 4,000 square feet. DCLA Commissioner Tom Finklepearl addresses the cultural importance of the art community’s need for affordable work space, stating that “New York’s creative and cultural economy is synonymous with the identity of New York City. But for artists to continue to thrive and produce work that connects with communities … we need to keep New York a place where they can afford to live and work. ArtBuilt’s new space in the Brooklyn Army Terminal is a step towards addressing the need for affordable workspace, providing a dynamic new base of operations for dozens of artists and creative workers.” By ensuring that our artists have a secure place to work, New York City is investing the future of our cultural community that makes this city so unique and valued.
Of course, it is not only the cultural community that benefits from this. The Brooklyn Army Terminal is located off of the water in Sunset Park. Assistant Speaker of District 51 (Sunset Park) Felix W. Ortiz “welcome(s) ArtBuilt as the newest artist studio and workspace at the Brooklyn Army Terminal … New businesses in the Sunset Park community should result in spending and activity with community residents.” Bringing in artists and arts-based small businesses (such as fine artists, woodworkers, set designers/builders, etc.) into the neighborhood is likely to benefit Sunset Park’s local economy. When we collaborate to protect the arts & culture scene of New York City, the positive effects are experienced throughout.