A CRDA feasibility study to bring an arts district to Atlantic City is now turning to artists themselves to weigh in.
A rendering of the proposed arts district along Mississippi Avenue in Atlantic City. Provided by CRDA.
ATLANTIC CITY — Plans for an Atlantic City Arts District have been quietly moving along with a feasibility study entering a new phase.
And Tuesday, June 28, perhaps the most important and critical element of the plan starts to be brought into the picture — artists.
After all, an arts district isn’t much without actual artists.
Tuesday, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) begins a process of finding out what artists think of the district and what they’d like to see included in plans through an official survey the state funding authority hopes will reach 3,000 area and regional artists.
“It’s really the next step in the process of gathering data,” says Jordon Cox, project development officer for the CRDA, “It’s designed to reach out to artists and build some excitement for the district. We’re looking to attract everyone from poets and writers to sculptors to dancers. Anyone with an interest in the idea.”
The survey focuses on what types of facilities artists would need in the district, including studio space, performance space, exhibition space and, most importantly, housing.
The CRDA study area runs from Florida to South Carolina avenues, from the Boardwalk to Baltic Avenue. But its center would be Mississippi Avenue, anchored by two major performance venues, Dante Hall and Boardwalk Hall.
The CRDA has spent $30,900 for an initial study of the area and the upcoming survey.
“We see the district as a combination of both housing and exhibition space, not one or the other,” Cox tells Atlantic City Weekly. “We expect to build a housing project, but then we hope the rest of the housing will fill in organically. But we do see it as an opportunity being able to bring in some unique and fun design. Seeing what the artists need; if we should build some studio space and display place.”
So far, area artists continue to be intrigued by the concept.
“I think right now, it’s cautious optimism,” says Bill Horin, creative director for ArtC, an advocacy and promotional group dedicated to gaining more exposure for area artists and their works. “Everybody is rooting for it to work and there is a lot of optimism. But there’s are also a lot of questions to be answered and I think everyone is taking a wait-and-see attitude.
“So far we’ve gotten limited information, but those bits and pieces have sounded encouraging and the community is being very supportive. And many of us will be there Tuesday hoping for more information.”
Though plans for the district are many faceted and gibe with other elements of the CRDA’s plans for the overall city Tourism District — for example, the CRDA allocated $275,000 this past Tuesday for an arts program focusing on public arts throughout the city — housing remains the central issue.
Mayor Lorenzo Langford, for example, raised concerns this week that the district needs to do more than just look to relocate artists from outside the city and focus on helping young Atlantic City residents launch a career in the arts.
CRDA officials say they can focus on both.
But for the district to really become an arts mecca, it will have to attract all types of artists.
“I think it’s a good start in our area, but I also think they are going to have to reach out of our area and think regionally,” says Horin. “I’m not sure we have enough artists in this area to support this. You’re going to have to bring in new people.
“And one of our members I think made a very good point at one of the meetings with CRDA,” says Horin. “Most young artists starting out don’t make a living initially off their work. So you have to think in terms of jobs and employment. It’s all very encouraging that we’ve made this start, but it’s something that is going to take a long time to see completed.”
A special presentation from ArtC — an organization dedicated to promoting the arts in southern New Jersey — in partnership with the Noyes Museum of Art and Stockton College, Photo SJ 2012 will showcase two of the world’s most accomplished and respected professional photographers: John Russo and Seth Resnick.
Stockton President Herman J. Saatkamp: “For our students enrolled in programs involving the arts, the facility provides an opportunity to explore ideas and concepts in the visual arts in a manner we previously could not."
"I think that the casino [environment] is an art unto itself, with the lights and the movement, the energy. I think that affects my art, [similar to] the way cities influenced jazz. I think that compression — the mesh of people — that sort of thing brings out art within you."
There is something mysterious at work in the life of artist Aleksandra Puzyn, a 28 year old from Poland who has found herself ensconced in Atlantic City’s past — and its present — all at the same time. And for those who have a particularly strong faith, perhaps mysterious isn’t strong enough a word.
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Aside from calling, writing, e-mailing, or using a new Web site the CRDA says is in development for users to share ideas, as well as offer new ideas and projects, there are public CRDA meetings (on the third Tuesday of every month; the next one is Nov. 15) that you can attend to vocalize your support for certain projects or offer new ideas.
ATLANTIC CITY — John Palmieri, the new head of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, comes to Atlantic City like no other executive director of the authority ever has. Palmieri, who was head of the Boston Redevelopment Authority from 2007 up until earlier this year, and has headed redevelopment and economic development in other cities such as Charlotte, North Carolina; Providence, Rhode Island; and Hartford, Connecticut, certainly has the qualifications and background for the job. But so have other CRDA directors. What’s different is the CRDA he’ll be heading. Never in the authority’s history has the role of the CRDA been so large. An agency created to build housing in Atlantic City and...
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Flanked by several paintings by local artists, Richard Stockton College president Herman Saatkamp warmed up a crowd of over 100 regional artists of various disciplines, intellectuals and public figures on Tuesday night, June 28, at Dante Hall for a presentation by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). The evening marked the next step in creating an arts and cultural district in Atlantic City.
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A large portion of the plan was devoted to creating non-gaming related facilities. Practical amenities such as a grocery store, as well as more cultural offerings such as an arts district, would serve to bring a more family oriented feel to Atlantic City.
The CRDA last month authorized $70,000 for an initial study to create a “neighborhood strategy area” — designed to outline a plan to transform Atlantic City neighborhoods into an arts district and others into medical and education districts. The CRDA could begin land acquisition in the area as early as February....
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1. DIANE CAUCCI said... on Jun 22, 2011 at 10:02PM
“AS A FORMER MISS ATLANTIC CITY (40YRS AGO!), RESIDENT OF AC FOR 15 YRS, BOARD MEMBER ON THE ATLANTIVC CO. UNITED WAY FOR 8 YRS, AND A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR ATLANTIC CITY AND IT'S POTENTIAL, I WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PLANNING PROCESS. SEPT 11TH 2009 THE PRESS RAN AN ARTICLE IN THE REGION SESSION ABOUT MY NEW ART VENTURE, MURIALS ON GARAGE DOORS AND ENTRANCE DOORS. I'M EXPANDING THAT TO AN IDEA I WANT TO CALL 'PAINT THE TOWN' WITH MURIALS REPRESENTING ERAS, LANDMARKS, CULTURES, ETC THRU OUT THE ARTS DISTRICT. THE ARTIST I USE, IS SKILLED AND WELL KNOWN. HE'S BEEN INTERESTED IN OPENING A STUDIO WITH A SECTIONS FOR GIVING ART CLASSES TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS. ALL IN ALL, I HAVE LOT'S OF IDEAS FOR THIS PROJECT THAT I SEE SO GREAT FOR THE CITY. SPECIAL EVENTS, WHICH ARE MY SPECIALTY, ARE ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF GETTING ATTENDANCE TO THE ART DISTRICT. WORKING WITH THE CASIONS & TOURISM DISTRICT TO CREATE A TOP NOTCH OPENING EVENT WILL BE CRITICAL TO IT'S LONG TERM SUCCESS.”