Organization

Resident artists taking the lead at Armory Arts Village

by Bill Chapin
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Sunday, February 8, 2009

Residents of Armory Arts Village are developing an association and bylaws to govern themselves. Those leading the effort say progress is being made to address concerns that arose in December after the resignation of Director Jane Robinson.

These residents said they intend to keep the project’s vision arts-focused, and they have the full backing of The Enterprise Group.

A closer look
Regular, winter hours for the Armory Arts Village are noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
The next Fourth Friday Open Studio Night will be 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 27.
Guided tours may be made by appointment, day or evening, any day of the week except Monday.
For more information on classes, tours, events or other activities, call Armory Arts Village spokeswoman Judy Gail Krasnow at 795-2112.

The economic development agency has formed its own task force to make sure that happens. It includes board members, representatives from other arts community groups and Neeta Delaney, who was director of the project from 2002 to 2006.

“The energy and number of people and dedication and determination to see this succeed is alive and well,” resident Judy Gail Krasnow said. “All these things take time, and they are being worked on and we are open.”

New rules for use of the complex’s studios have already been agreed on by residents. Security has been improved by installation of a new locking mechanism for the building’s main entrance.

Significantly, artists now are being given preference when there are open apartments in the building. That was made possible by changes to the federal tax code that went into effect in September, though uncertainty over how the new law applied to Armory Arts Village persisted into December.

The Enterprise Group President and CEO Scott Fleming said there is now agreement among project developer Excel Realty Group, the investor who purchased tax credits to fund the project and property management company KMG Prestige that applicants who identify themselves as artists can be approved for an apartment even if there are nonartists higher on the building’s waiting list.

How to determine who counts as an artist remains under consideration.

“Someone can lie their way into getting an apartment,” resident Matthew Tate said.

The other major sticking point is the building’s main gallery, which is not being heated this winter.

Krasnow said The Enterprise Group is negotiating with Excel Realty Group to find a way to cover utility costs.

“They are truly hoping this situation will be settled and solved so next year we’ll be open full time,” she said.

Residents including Krasnow, Hector Trujillo and Jean Weir approached Fleming about forming a self-governing board because they felt coordinating all the building’s arts activities was too much for one person. They are working on developing a business plan with input from EG board members and others with business experience.

Not every resident is convinced that the artists should be taking over what had been Robinson’s duties.

“Our job (is) to provide the art that goes into the gallery, and not to be gallery administrators,” potter Kay Howard said.

She also said she wants to see an agreement in writing to heat the gallery year-round before the Jackson City Council approves tax breaks for the second phase of the project, a mixed-use senior housing development. The City Planning Commission this week approved designs for the development.

“I’m not saying things aren’t moving in the right direction,” Howard said. “I’m waiting to see.”

Krasnow and other artists said public visitation to the building has been down since a Citizen Patriot story on the Armory Arts Village ran in December. There were rumors circulating that the project had ceased all its arts activities.

They also said the building remains in good condition and praised the dedication of maintenance technician Don Allen.

While public hours have been scaled back for the winter, art is still on display, residents are teaching classes and tours are available.

“It’s far from dead,” Tate said.

“There’s lots of people in there working hard to get it going.”