City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 27, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HASHIM T. TAYLOR, DIRECTOR, RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL
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Consideration of One-Year Lease Extensions to Artists and Arts Organizations ranging from September 30, 2026 through September 30, 2028, at the Torpedo Factory Art Center Located at 105 N. Union Street.
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ISSUE: Consideration of one-year lease extensions to artists and arts organizations ranging from September 30, 2026 through September 30, 2028, at the Torpedo Factory Art Center located at 105 N. Union Street.
RECOMMENDATION: City Council schedule a public hearing on June 14, 2025, regarding the form and content of the proposed lease extension for leases at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and at the conclusion of the public hearing authorize the City Manager to extend current leases in good standing for artists and arts organizations.
BACKGROUND: The Torpedo Factory Art Center leases most of its space studios and galleries to approximately 110 artists and arts organizations. During the course of a year, leases may be amended as the artists within a studio may change or subleasing artists added to the space.
In 2022, for the first time in the history of the Art Center, the City undertook re-jurying for artist studios. Existing studios were divided into three groups with each group undergoing re-jurying and new artists being eligible to apply for studios. Selected artists were granted three-year leases for their studios. Currently, leases issued in 2022 expire September 30, 2025, leases issued in 2023 expire September 30, 2026, and leases issued in 2024 expire in 2027. All artists completed the process with the third Open Call in 2024. Founding members (artists who have maintained studios since 1974) and galleries...
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