Artist Studio - Annapolis - Farm Setting

A nice stand-alone building behind a farm house outside of Annapolis - $1,000 / month. More info here

Center for Creative Emergence

The Center for Creative Emergence, based in DC, is committed to the study, practice, and experience of emergent creativity for relevant business results and positive social transformation. Check out their web site here.

Creativity in Business Conference - 10/4 in DC

Creativity is the capital of the new economy. Join creativity thought leaders, pioneering entrepreneurs and business innovators - in the fields of applied creativity and innovation, organizational change and development, social media and leadership - from around the country for a full-day event focused on:

• Harnessing and focusing individual, group and organizational creativity
• Organizational structures/business models conducive for creativity and innovation
• The integration of creativity, purpose, business and serving the greater good

More info and conference schedule can be found here.

Creative Forum - Coming in November

I have word from Sakina Kahn in the Office of Planning that they are working on a Creative Forum in the middle of November. More details as they become available.

Adams Morgan - Studio For Rent

1,200 SF of space for rent in Adams Morgan in a renovated building. Cost is $2,575 per month. More details here.

Gallery for Rent - 1515 14th Street NW

Giorgio Furioso is renting out his second floor gallery space in his building on 14th Street. Check out the details here - $8,200 / month for 2,200 SF of nice gallery space.

Old Numark Gallery for Rent - Downtown DC

The beautiful Numark Gallery space at 625-627 E Street NW, in the heart of Penn Quarter, is for rent. Only about $13,000 / month. Check out the flyer here.

You can check out the space in person when G Fine Arts does a one-off of the works of Jefferson Pinder and Jose Ruiz. Opening reception is September 26. G Fine Arts web site is here.

Small Studio to Rent in Baltimore

Check out this listing for a 600 SF studio on E. Patapsco Ave. - $600 per month, including heat. More details here.

Lecture - Archetypes of Creativity

Archetypes of Creativity with Julie Bondanza, PhD

Thursday, September 17
6:30-8:30PM
Free & open to the public

Keeping creativity alive is as important to the soul as good nutrition is for the well being of the body. It is, as C.G. Jung said, "one of the five basic instincts." In this two-hour lecture/discussion, Dr. Bondanza will explore archetypal images of the creative process to uncover practical applications to present-day problems of creativity. The archetypal dynamics of the creative process will be demonstrated through a selection of creation myths, dreams, and fairy tales.

Seating available on a first come, first served basis.

The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm Center
1632 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Comprehensive Plan - Time for Amendments

The Office of Planning (OP) has launched the first Amendment Cycle for the 2006 Comprehensive Plan, the District's 20-year blueprint for the city.

OP, along with an interagency evaluation team, conducted an analysis of the 200+ amendment proposals received and has completed a report with draft recommendations on which amendment proposals should be adopted.

Come to the meeting on September 22 to learn about OP's draft recommendations and comment on the Draft Amendment Report.

Tuesday, September 22
6:30 pm - 8 pm
Judiciary Square Old Council Chamber
441 4th Street, NW (One Judiciary Square)

If you are unable to attend the September 22 meeting, you can attend one of the “evening office hour” sessions that OP will hold. Staff will be available from 6 pm to 8 pm on the following dates:

Thursday, September 17
Tuesday, September 29
Thursday, October 1

For a list of amendments, visit the OP web site here.

Living Storage Quarters

Living Storage Quarters is a company that designs, builds and delivers small, stylish sheds that can be used for a variety of uses, including artist studios. Check out their web site here.

City First Homes - Info Session

City First Homes is a new nonprofit housing trust in Washington that is developing new, affordable homes across the city in order to expand housing options for the workforce.

On Tue Sept 22 at 630 they will be holding a free information session near 14th and U. For more info, contact Jyothi at info@cfhomes.org or call 202 745 4486.

Check out the City First Homes web site here. The program on the 22nd is not specifically geared towards artists and other creatives, but the subject matter will be of interest to all those looking for affordable housing.

Lease Gallery space in Dupont Circle

Check out this Craigslist post. For lease - small gallery space for $2K per month.

Bluemont Virginia - Several space options!

Looking for space out near Leesburg, Virginia? Check out these Craigslist posts for several buildings for lease in the historic town of Bluemont - here, here and here.

Report - DC Must Rethink Economic Development

The Downtown BID and DC's Office of Economic Development have produced a report that pushes DC to move away from a land development focus towards a job creation focus.

Read more in the Washington Business Journal Here.

Developing Affordable Space for Artists

A Summary of Development Projects Funded by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Read more Here.

Creative DC Action Agenda - Fall Meeting

The DC Office of Planning, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities have been working for more than a year to find ways to support creative employment and business opportunities and promote revitalizing and enlivening underserved areas through the arts and creative uses.

To begin executing the Creative DC Action Agenda, as well as the Green Collar Jobs Initiative and the Retail Action Strategy, a forum where public, private and non-profit stakeholders can help advance the city’s creative, green and retail sectors, will be held this fall. For more information or to receive an invitation to the event, or both, contact Sakina Khan at sakina.khan@dc.gov.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is dedicated to helping community residents transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable communities of choice and opportunity.

Read more Here.

Database of Vacant Retail Space in DC

Looking for vacant retail space? What about creative space for an art studio or interior design firm?

The Washington, DC Economic Partnership, is expanding its database of 265 vacant and soon-to-be-available sites in DC and introducing what will be the city’s first comprehensive site location survey to help businesses locate available retail space in the city. Using cameras with built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to photograph and record information on occupied and vacant mixed-use, retail and commercial storefronts, the organization has combed commercial corridors such as Minnesota, Georgia and Wisconsin Avenues and South Capitol and Kennedy Streetsareas not currently covered by an existing neighborhood business improvement district or community improvement district.

Look for the additional information to be posted at www.wdcep.com/ by the end of this month.

District Begins New Affordable Housing Program

From the Press Release:

August 14, 2009

District Begins New Affordable Housing Program

(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on Friday announced the District has implemented the District’s Inclusionary Zoning program, which affords private sector development companies the right to additional density for their projects in exchange for making at least 8 percent of the units in the project affordable.

“We’re building an inclusive city,” said Mayor Fenty. “And that means making sure there are high-quality housing options for residents at every income level throughout the city. We worked very hard to strike the right balance in putting together this program so that it will create as much affordable housing as possible while minimizing any potential burden on the development community.”

Read More Here.

Metlife Innovative Space Award

The Metlife Innovative Space Awards (ISA) is a competitive national funding program that recognizes outstanding efforts in the design and development of affordable space for artists. The program emphasizes the benefits artist spaces yield for both artists and their communities. In November 2009, the Metlife Innovative Space Awards will announce awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to provide support for up to five winning projects.

Read more about it Here.

Falls Church - New Arts District

Missy Frederick reports in the Washington Business Journal that Falls Church has approved a new Arts District.

Communities across the Washington area are investigating the concept of arts districts as catalysts for economic development.

Proponents say tax and building incentives in the districts can lure developers to build artist space, spur the growth of artistic venues and draw more people to arts-related events.

The most recent advocate is Falls Church, where the City Council voted in early August to establish an arts and cultural district.

Read more Here.

Urban Land Institute - Urban Marketplace Conference

ULI Washington's annual Urban Marketplace, a day-long conference and expo, will bring together the private, nonprofit, and public sectors to explore redevelopment opportunities and best practices in emerging neighborhoods and corridors across the Washington metropolitan region. The conference is on Tuesday September 15th and costs $75 - $225 depending on your occupation. Find out more info Here.