GarageWORKS to build artists’ studios
The state has awarded $1 million to GarageWORKS, a project combining artist studios with a gallery at 3-5 Henry St. in Beacon.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday (July 30) announced more than $64 million in awards to 43 projects through the state’s Restore New York Communities Initiative.
Property owner Michael Braden plans to convert the one-time Studebaker showroom on Henry Street into a carbon-neutral, solar-powered studio for himself and three other artists. GarageWORKS will also feature space for community programming and public art installations.
The project earlier received a $2 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Restore New York supports municipal revitalization efforts to reduce blight, reinvigorate communities and generate new residential and economic opportunities. In addition to GarageWORKS, five other Mid-Hudson projects were awarded a combined $5 million from the program.
Our tax dollars should not be funding projects such as artist studios and galleries. [via Facebook]
Imagine if that money had gone to build a community center for kids to hang out, watch movies, play games and spend time after hours. While I’m not mad at this property owner for gaming the rules to score tax dollars to trick out his gallery, it is clearly a slap in the face for what the community needs. [via Instagram]
The environmental work GarageWORKS has planned seems great, but I wonder if they will be able to bring anything real to the community or if it will be mostly private studios that are unaffordable. Unfortunately, we already have unaffordable artist studios in Beacon. [via Instagram]
Good for GarageWORKS, although I have no idea how four artists moving here and making studios for themselves “restores communities.” [via Instagram]
This is a weird project with money being thrown at it. As someone who has spent a career in the community arts space, I have not seen any signs of how the bridge from personal studios to community will work. It’s also on our street and we know what will happen to taxes. We need a teen center, a community center, a year-round public pool, more childcare options, etc. [via Instagram]
Can I just get $25,000 to put solar panels on my roof? [via Instagram]
Braden has received $3 million in state grants for his art studio and gallery. I would like to understand more about the criteria the state uses to assess needs for funding. Casting this publicly funded project as one that will benefit a city where so many are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to live appears disingenuous.