West Palm Beach starts taking applications for artist colony today
WEST PALM BEACH —The city will launch its Lot 23 artists colony project at 5:30 p.m. today prior to the monthly Art and Wine Promenade in Northwood Village.
Under the project, West Palm Beach will provide housing to at least eight artists at discounted rents in return for community service.
The more community service an artist does, the less cash he or she will have to pay for rent: Units will rent for $400 a month with 16 hours of weekly community service, $350 a month with 20 hours of service and $300 for 24 hours of service.
The city will begin taking applications from artists at this evening’s launch.
The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency spent $850,000 to buy and renovate two four-unit apartment buildings in Pleasant City, a neighborhood that is a key part of West Palm Beach’s revitalization effort. The area is west of Blum Park on 23rd Street, just south of Northwood Village, and the apartments are 750-square-foot rehabbed 2-bedroom units.
The CRA plans a second phase that will include studio and retail space of up to 20,000 square feet.
Grace Joyce, CRA Redevelopment Administrator, said she’s already heard from about 50 artists interested in moving to Pleasant City. Joyce said the program is unique because unlike many other city-subsidized rental units, there is no low-income requirement in Lot 23.
“Suppose you’ve got a guy who’s retired and is interested in doing 40 hours a week in a program, he’d be ideal,” Joyce said. “We could even possibly have someone graduating from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts who may not have interest in college but they do have community service spirit in them.”
While artists from all backgrounds can apply, Joyce said the city is especially interested in those with backgrounds in art and dance.
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