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Artspace Milestones (last update July 16, 2007) The 30,000 square foot building that currently houses Artspace was built in 1911 as a livery stable. Raleigh at that time was a small town with most residents and businesses located around Capitol Square. Fayetteville Street was the main street of commerce and the City Market area provided farmers a place to sell their produce. The Sanders Ford Car Dealership bought the building and ran their business there until 1969. Source: AAA and Artspace Information, joint publication, 2002 Artspace in the 1970's 1970's A group of artists on Morgan St. conceive of an artists' studio collaborative in downtown Raleigh.
1980 A group of artists have a vision for an art center and “cultural corridor” in downtown Raleigh and they approach the City of Raleigh for support. 1980 The Raleigh Arts Commission establishes the “Artspace Subcommittee” Task Force to explore the need and interest in a multipurpose art facility. After obtaining the needed information this committee made two recommendations:
1981 Artspace incorporates and receives endorsements from the Raleigh Arts Commission, the Downtown Advisory Board and Raleigh Mayor, Smedes York. 1982 Mayor York announces developers’ interest in a festive retail project as part of the effort to revitalize downtown focused on the City Market. 1983 Sanders Ford Partnership buys the Sanders Ford building and begins negotiations with Artspace Inc. as potential tenants. 1983 Fundraising efforts begin. First fundraiser at the Velvet Cloak netted $3000. Foundation funding for seed money donated by A. Smith Reynolds, A.J. Fletcher and Josephus Daniels Foundations. 1983 City of Raleigh provides start-up fundraising of $300,000 to be drawn in $50,000 increments over 5 years. Their first two increments will be a grant and the remaining a loan with repayment beginning in 1991. 1984 The first Executive Director is hired. 1984–86 Artspace building is remodeled for creating 20 studios, two exhibition spaces and offices for nine non-profit organizations. 1986, November 11 Artspace opens to the public with over 1500 people attending. Artspace is the pioneer organization in the City Market area and is a major influence on the re-development efforts in downtown Raleigh. 1987 Triangle Council of Governments selects Artspace for the "Triangle Development Award" for the excellent adaptive reuse of the building. Source: AAA and Artspace Information, joint publication, 2002 Artspace in the 1990's 1990 Artspace and the City Gallery of Contemporary Art initiate coordinated exhibition openings on the First Friday of every month. 1990 The “Governor’s Business Award” to non-profit cultural arts organization 1991 Artspace renovates the fist floor to create additional studios, arts education and gallery spaces. Artspace offices move to the third floor. 1991 The Independent, “Indy Award” for Arts Programming 1992 The Raleigh Arts Commission’s "Medal of Arts Award" 1993 Spectator Magazine, “Best in the Triangle to meet Creative People” 1994 Spectator Magazine, “Best Arts Organization” 1995 City of Raleigh purchases the Artspace building from the Sanders Ford Partnership. 1998 United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, "Business Support of the Arts Award for Arts Education" Source: AAA and Artspace Information, joint publication, 2002 Artspace in the 2000's 2000 Artspace negotiates the purchase of the building from the City and mounts a four-year Capital campaign to cover purchase, needed renovations and establish an endowment. 2000 Metro Magazine, “Standing Ovation” Award for Art Galleries. 2002 Spectator Magazine, “Best Alternative Space” 2005 Artspace obtains ownership of the Sander’s Ford building from the City of Raleigh 2007, June 7 artspaceartists.org is launched. |