Mark Greene
ArtCondo
Real estate forces threaten the livelihoods of creative industries in major cities. Yet creative industries – 4.2% of GDP – are growing faster than the economy as a whole and need spaces to thrive. When staggering rental prices force artists and creatives out of their communities, the communities also suffer. ArtCondo is a community-focused real estate project that helps artists, creative workers, creative businesses, and non-profits buy buildings together.
ArtCondo is creating opportunities for artists to creatively purchase properties they would usually not have access to. The organization finds qualified buyers within the arts community and connects them to one another so they can work together and leverage their collective buying power. It fosters collaboration between buyers, neighborhood residents, and investors with the aim of building new and sustainable creative communities throughout NYC.
Our current project – a physical building in the South Bronx – is our pilot project, but our larger goal is to create a model that others can replicate. It’s an artist-driven financial and organizational model that
- Helps artists
- Supports the community where they live.
In line with our mission, we are including a Community Art Space in our building, which will give voice to our surrounding community and emerging artists. Thе ѕрасе wіll bе a vеnuе whеrе local community аrtіѕtѕ аnd аrtіѕаnѕ can еxhіbіt, реrfоrm, lеаrn аnd connect. It’s really the heart of the whole project.
The Community Art Space will occupy 900 square feet on the 1st floor, with direct street access. We envision it as a hub of arts activity for people of all ages, and a destination in our neighborhood. We will partner with South Bronx non-profit arts organizations to manage the space and develop programming to meet the needs of the local community.
The Community Art Space will create and inspire:
- Exhibitions
- Performances, including concerts, readings and poetry slams
- Art classes
- Non-profit activities
A new model for affordable living and workspaces for artists and creative workers
