FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com AUGUST 22, 2013 • THE QUEENS COURIER 11 Photo Courtesy of NYC Mayor’s Offi ce’s Flickr Mayor Michael Bloomberg cut the ribbon at Spaceworks LIC, a new rental workspace location featuring three rehearsal rooms and one music studio. Affordable art space in LIC BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] More performing artists will soon call LIC home. On Tuesday, August 20, Mayor Michael Bloomberg cut the ribbon on Spaceworks LIC, located at 33-02 Skillman Avenue. The new 3,800-square-foot rental location is a pilot site for Spaceworks, a nonprofi t organization, and includes three rehearsal rooms for dance and theater, and one music studio. “Arts and culture is thriving in every neighborhood in all fi ve boroughs, and supporting the artists who make up New York City’s creative community is critical,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “By integrating affordable workspace for artists into neighborhoods across the city, Spaceworks is helping us fi nd innovative ways to attract the talented workers who help shape our city’s economy, identity and quality of life.” Created in 2011, Spaceworks builds long-term and affordable rehearsal and visual art studios throughout the city by converting underutilized private and public facilities into permanent workspaces. Spaceworks LIC is the fi rst of fi ve current developing sites which over the next two years will help bring close to 30,000-square-feet of rental workspace for city artists. “By providing long-term affordable work spaces, Spaceworks will become a vital resource for artists committed to staying and working in New York City, while building lasting connections between artists and communities,” said Paul Parkhill, Spaceworks executive director. The Chocolate Factory Theater will work as the program partner for Spaceworks LIC and help with community and artist relations throughout Long Island City. Performing artists can apply for a Spaceworks Card to access Spaceworks LIC by visiting www.spaceworksnyc.org. MOVING OUT TRYING TO RAISE FUNDS AS 5POINTZ SET TO BE RAZED BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] As the wrecking ball gets closer to 5Pointz, one nonprofi t that calls the graffi ti mecca home is now looking for help to fund their new space once it’s time to move out. For the past fi ve years, Local Project, a nonprofi t arts organization, has housed its headquarters and gallery space at 45-10 Davis Street in Long Island City inside the warehouses of 5Pointz. After the property’s owners decided to sell the location to construct two highrise apartment buildings, Local Project was left wondering where they would go from there. On Wednesday, August 21 the City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the plan for the two towers. “Local Project belongs to Long Island City, everybody knows us,” said Carolina Penafi el, founder and director. “The day they demolish this is going to be very weird. I believe in changes, I believe in progress, but I don’t believe in mistreating people. They just want to get us out of here.” On August 7, Local Project started an Indiegogo campaign called “Keep LP Spinning” to begin raising funds needed to pay for a new home, moving fees and construction. There is a $27,000 goal the group hopes to reach by September 30, when they must leave the warehouse. Local Project is looking to move into a new space on 44th Road in Long Island City, close to their fi rst location prior to the 5Pointz warehouses. Although the space is leased, with help of supporter Susan Peters, Local Project still has to raise the funds in order to move in. “We’re trying to grow and trying to provide a bigger place,” said Penafi el. “We’re trying to create an experience for people.” Penafi el also said the new space will allow Local Project to give back more to the community. She said the new space will allow the group to be more organized and active, and to provide more services like workshops, afterschool programs and help for local schools. “We’re going to come in stronger and last longer if this comes true,” said Penafi el. “It’s like a dream. It depends on people. The hope is in our collaborators and those who want us to continue. We need the support.” To contribute to Local Project’s campaign you can visit www.igg.me/at/ LocalProject.
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