City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of an Action Plan for Vibrancy and Sustainability at Torpedo Factory Art Center.
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ISSUE: Consideration of the Action Plan for Vibrancy and Sustainability at Torpedo Factory Art Center.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Receive the proposed Action Plan for Vibrancy and Sustainability at Torpedo Factory Art Center (Attachment 1); and
2. Schedule the proposed Action Plan for public hearing and approval on February 20, 2021.
BACKGROUND: Throughout its 45-year history, the Torpedo Factory Art Center ("Art Center") has enjoyed a long and distinguished history culminating in the 1970's and 1980's as a model for placemaking and a not previously seen before way for the public to experience an artist at work. Today the Art Center welcomes more than 500,000 national and international visitors each year.
Today in the 2020's, however, the public has increased ways to experience art in the areas new museums and also see art being made across the region including Arlington Arts Center, the Workhouse Arts Center in Fairfax, Pyramid Atlantic in Silver Spring, VisArts art center in Rockville, and Artechouse in Washington, DC.
Creating a welcoming and engaging experience with interactive events that attract new, diverse audiences is essential to the future success of the Art Center in the 21st Century.
The Art Center is comprised of over 76,000 square feet of space, approximately 40% is leased as studios approximately 30% is public and utility space, approximately 10% leased as galleries, 5% leased as classrooms and 2% as leased offices. The Art League is the single largest leaseholder in the Art Center with over 9% of dedicated space for administrative offices, classrooms, and a...
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