Artspace, Windgate announce plans for $36 million mixed-use project in Little Rock
by September 7, 2022 6:31 am 4,491 views
Minneapolis-based Artspace Projects, in partnership with Little Rock-based Windgate Foundation, announced plans Tuesday (Sept. 6) to advance a new mixed-use project for artists in Little Rock’s East Village neighborhood, the Artspace Windgate Campus.
The campus will be a four-story, approximately 94,000 -square-foot development. All 60 live/work units of lofts will be affordable for residents earning between 30-60% of the Area Median Income. The anticipated project construction start timeline is Summer 2023 and completion in Fall 2024.
The Artspace Windgate Campus aims to recruit artists and their families and will provide 10 working artist-in-residence studios, ample event and gallery space including a large outdoor courtyard, and approximately 16,000 sq. ft. of commercial space for local arts and cultural organizations.
“Providing the creative community in central Arkansas with a place to gather, live, and work is essential to the growth of our culture and economy. Our belief in this project and our confidence in Artspace is what propelled Windgate Foundation to initiate it. The response from artists in the area was so enthusiastic. We knew it would be a welcomed addition to Little Rock,” said Robyn Horn, Board Chair at the Windgate Foundation.
The Artspace Windgate Campus grew out of a strategic effort led by the Windgate Foundation with support from civic leaders, arts organizations, local artists, and creative businesses.
“I am excited to have the Artspace Windgate Campus located in the East Village area of Little Rock’s historic East End,” said Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. “This innovative project will bring not only bring additional affordable housing to this area but serve as a neighborhood hub. With its proximity to the Clinton Presidential Center, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and the future home of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, it will be an anchor for Little Rock’s expanding arts and culture scene.”
Artspace is a non-profit organization that uses the tools of real estate development to create affordable places where artists can live and work. It owns each of the projects it develops and has taken part in more than 50 projects over the last four decades, it said in a release. To date, Artspace says it has invested nearly $750 million in arts infrastructure through its projects.
The Windgate Foundation, based in Little Rock, is a private, family foundation with priorities to advance contemporary craft and strengthen educational programs in visual arts across the U.S., as well as supporting programs addressing equity for children and youth in Arkansas.