Good Neighborhoods for Artists in DC - Bloomingdale & Ledroit Park

A lot of artists have moved into Bloomingdale and Ledroit Park over the last decade. And with house prices beginning to moderate from the highs of 2005, now might be a time for others to take a look. This weekend area brokers are holding a Multiple Open House Walking Tour. Its a convenient way to see what is available in the neighborhood in one short period of time.

Neighborhood Open House Event! Take Shaw Metro and walk, or start at any of the addresses listed.

Not familiar with the historic neighborhoods of Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park? Join us on Sunday from 1-4pm for Open Houses throughout the neighborhood!

Better yet, plan to come early and stop by the Bloomingdale Farmer's Market at 1st & R St NW (10am-2pm), or have a cup of coffee at Big Bear Cafe (also at 1st & R St NW), or Windows Cafe (1st & Rhode Island NW). Pick up some local dairy products (mmmmm, real cream in glass bottles) at Timor Bodega at 2nd & Rhode Island Ave NW).

Start at any of these properties. Lists will be available at each participating Open House:

$289,900 1BR 1BA 70 Rhode Island Ave NW
$316,900 3BR 2BA 1823 4th St NW
$399,000 2BR 2BA 1824 North Capitol St NW #1
$399,900 2BR 2BA 2109 2nd St NW
$429,000 1BR 1BA 531 T St NW #101
$459,000 2BR 2BA 125 T NW #3
$519,900 3BR 2BA 2030 1st St NW #2
$545,000 4BR 2BA 5 U St NW
$599,900 5BR 2.5BA 12 Randolph Pl NW
$599,999 5BR 3BA 2207 1st St NW
$615,000 4BR 3.5BA 67 U St NW

For more info, call 202- 641- 5373.

Multiple Broker Event!

New Grant - DC Arts Commission

Just got word from our pals over at the DC Arts Commission that they are introducing a new grant program - DCARTS International. The grant funds travel abroad for DC artists and arts organizations. More info -

DCARTS International is an inaugural grant program offering support for District of Columbia arts organizations to travel abroad to participate in cultural festivals, exhibitions, touring programs and other opportunities to share their talents. The DC Arts Commission recognizes the important role cultural communication plays in increasing international understanding. This program aims to cultivate the globalization of Washington's rich tradition of diverse cultural expression and support for highly accomplished artistic talent.

They offer up to $20K and the deadline is November 12. So give them a call! 202 724-5613

DC Arts Commission - Small Project Grants

The deadline for the Small Projects Program (SPP) is fast approaching - October 15.
The SPP offers quick response grants of up to $2,000 to individual artists and arts organizations. The program seeks to make grant funds more accessible for small-scale arts projects with total budget that do not exceed $4,000.
For more info, check out the DC Arts and Humanities Commission's website - DCARTS.DC.GOV

New Artist Studios - Brentwood, MD

The Brentwood Arts Center annex at ez Storage in the Gateway Arts District has storefront studios for rent. Located at 4103-4105 Rhode Island Ave. (Just a quarter mile from the DC line on Rhode Island Ave.) This is a rare opportunity for artists to have store front studio space where you can make art and exhibit your work all at once. This space is also available to arts related organizations.
They have a total of 1835 square feet of store front space on Rhode Island Ave. that rents for $1835 a month plus utilities. The storefront space can be kept intact or subdivided into 4 individual storefront studios.
For more info call John Paradiso, Arts and Community Development Officer, Gateway CDC at 301-864-3860 Ext.3.

Jazz Club coming to 5th and Eye - plus Zenith Gallery

Just announced - the 475,000-square-foot project, called Arts at 5th and Eye, will be anchored by a ME by Melia hotel from Barcelona. It will also include a music venue call the Boisdale Jazz Club from London, a bike shop, a bookstore, café, and the Zenith Art Gallery – a fixture of the 7th Street Gallery scene.
The development will also feature 166 apartments, where 50 units will be reserved for affordable renters earning less than 60 percent of the area median income. The developer has also proposed a 238-space parking garage underground.

Artomatic - 2009

Word on the street has Artomatic getting ready to return in 2009. Negotiations over the building are underway.