Artspace is a nonprofit that looks at the feasibility of building affordable spaces for a community’s arts and culture sector. Last week, it gave the town of Carbondale its recommendations on creating more housing for artists.
In December, Artspace consultants met with leaders from Carbondale's arts community and government. During those meetings, many community members asked for affordable studios and event spaces, in addition to housing.
Last week, Artspace released their findings from that visit. The organization recommends that Carbondale build a mixed-use, affordable housing development for artists. Ideally, the development would have live/work housing on its upper floors, and classrooms, collaborative space and commercial space on the ground floor.
Artspace identified three potential locations for this development: The vacant lot next to SAW studios near the Rio Grande Trail, a lot near the new City Market site, or a parcel in the Carbondale Industrial Park.
In order to build the project, Artspace recommends that Carbondale reach out to community partners and private donors, and look at federal and state funding programs.
As a next step, Artspace proposes Carbondale conduct an arts market study. That would look at details like rent costs and would zero in on a development location.