For two years, ART 180 has dreamed of creating a welcoming space filled with energy and imagination, art and music, hope and potential that is a beacon of young people’s creativity in our region.
This space will take the form of a youth art center in the Downtown arts and cultural district, where teenagers can develop life and leadership skills and share their stories with the broader community through the First Fridays Art Walk and other events. The space will be theirs—theirs to define, shape, and share—and the enthusiasm young people have already shown for this concept has truly inspired us.
Initially we couldn't fathom how to make this dream a reality, but we were emboldened by the words of a former program participant, 10-year-old Leroy, that we printed on a bumper sticker years ago: "Find a dream and stick with it." That is precisely what we have done, with his words serving as the moniker for this landmark initiative. With leadership from our board, ART 180 began a property search last summer and identified a suitable space in which to develop our youth art center, a commercial unit on West Marshall Street in Jackson Ward.
The youth arts center will allow ART 180 to:- provide opportunities for young people in underserved communities to
develop transferable skills - develop special, new leadership programs for teenagers
- serve more young people and engage them longer
- provide a year-round venue to share youth work with the community
- aid in downtown revitalization and the arts and cultural district
The Marshall Street space offers the perfect size, location and price to make this dream a reality, providing
- gallery and performance space within the First Fridays Art Walk and in the arts
and cultural district - program space for increased teen participation
- on-site office and storage space to make the programs a reality
We purchased a building! 112-116 W. Marshall Street in historic Jackson Ward is going to be our NEW home, and construction has already begun! Mike Thomas of TNT Construction is one of our new favorite people; he is leading a team of talented folks to build out the space. If all goes according to plan, he hopes to have it ready for us in November.
Many others have contributed their talents to the space already! Alex Graf of Walter Parks Architect designed the space, Virginia Lighting Associates and Michael Lease helped determine our lighting needs, Benjamin Moore is supplying all the paint, and LaDifference is decking out our "Z" lounge (in memory of Jonny Z). Plus, we are collaborating with local artists and craftsmen (including Brian Lopez of Glide Skateboards, Kevin Daley, Chris Milk and Paul Teeples) to create some unique pieces to really make this place special. Look out in the coming months for a special Rhome article and save the date for an early January GRAND OPENING once we get settled in.
Stay up-to-date on all the latest developments: subscribe to our newsletter using the form on the left (we send updates out each month through email), like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Check out all the photo albums in our gallery below to see pictures of before, during and after construction!
Our dream’s nearly come true. Your support will make all the difference in helping us realize this vision for young people and our community.
Your support will help us:
- purchase the space - $300,000
- convert the space into an art center - $100,000
- fund new programs at the art center - $100,000.
We need you.
No gift is too small.
Make a pledge: You can make a pledge over 5 years. Simply download the pledge form by clicking on the yellow cloud and return it through the mail to ART 180. We will then invoice you according to your instructions until your pledge is paid in full.
Give online: You can give online through Network for Good by clicking on the DONATE button up top. Please designate the gift as a Capital Campaign gift.
Transfer securities: If you'd like to make a gift of securities (eg. appreciated stock), please Click here to contact David Holland, Development via e-mail or call him on (804) 233-4180 for instructions.
