The Arts Wing @ Maya

The Arts Wing @ Maya A Proposal

Arts Education Community Building Performances

Drafted by Shawn Short, MFA

Table of Contents Proposal Letter - Pg. 1 The Arts & Ward 7: An Overview - Pg. 4 Ward 7: Need for Space - Pg. 5 Space Layout - Pg. 6 Configuration - Pg. 9

Cover Image Credits (Top to Bottom): Lifepieces to Masterpieces UMD Black Theatre Symposium Ngoma Center for Dance

November 8th, 2017 Ngoma Center for Dance 1026 45th St NE, Suite 201 Washington, DC 20019 RE: The Arts Wing @ Maya Angelou Charter School Dear Mr. Charles “Chuck” Jackson, and Mrs. Leah Lamb: The arts are a valuable contributor to a community’s identity, economic vitality and quality of life. When we talk about building and creating sustainable spaces for the arts, it is only possible when we have art-supporters. It is widely recognized that the arts unite us in our similarities and celebrate our difference. With limited funding still not available to many arts non-profit organizations, today’s arts landscape brings with it escalating costs and cutbacks that challenge its existence.

“The Arts Wing @ Maya” will be a gem to the surrounding and nearby communities. In addition, its location makes it advantageous to Prince George’s County Maryland residents, diversifying potential audiences within anticipated programs; bringing revenue to Washington, DC’s autonomous creative economy.

This proposal is to discuss the possibilities of the two floors slated to be renovated for anchor and community affiliate organizations.

It is with great understanding that this development project will take planning and implementation. As an arts organization in Ward 7, I’m excited and humbled to have our voice heard at the table. I hope this proposal aids in the success of the arts wing nestled in Maya Angelou’s learning campus.

We rise,

Shawn Short, MFA Ngoma Center for Dance/Dissonance Dance Theatre Founder/CEO

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The arts reach out and touch individuals, and group of people who would not enter into community activities through any other route. The arts are both “an economic developer” and a “promoter of community”.

- Ellen Bozman, Former Chair Arlington County Board Dissonance Dance Theatre in company class with Founder Shawn Short

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The Arts and Ward 7: An Overview Arts in DC

American for the Arts’s 2015 Creative Industries report states that DC’s arts and humanities sector is comprised of 2,467 businesses with approximately 23,000 employees; five percent of all DC business; 2.4 percent of all employees; 952 are performing and visual arts businesses. Furthermore, there are 683 city-wide arts entities (organizations and individual artists); 72 arts entities reside East of the River (DCCAH Annual Report, 2015). In 2012, DC’s arts and heritage sector generated $455 million in expenditures. The arts matter.

Welcome to Ward 7

Ward 7 holds some of the oldest communities in the northeast quadrant. Ward 7 is a very diverse section of the District and is distinguished by its leafy streets, single-family homes, transit stations and above all, its greenspace. It is home to a number of Civil War fort sites that have since been turned into parkland including: Fort Mahan Park, Fort Davis Park, Fort Chaplin Park and Fort Dupont Park, the largest city-owned park in the District. Ward 7 is also home to green spaces such as Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Watts Branch Park, Anacostia River Park and Kingman Island.

Thirty of DC’s total arts entities (22% of total DC art entities) reside in Ward 7. The average budget of Ward 7 arts organizations range from $25K to $250k +.

According to Guidestar, Arts organizations with a permanent facility, generate budgets ranging $250K + (17% of Ward 7 Arts entities). The majority of space-leasing Ward 7 organizations, generate budgets ranging from $25k to $40k. There are a few exceptions with budgets ranging $80k -$120k.

The Muscianship staff teaching in their afterschool program.

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Need For Space Ward 7 arts organizations not only need space but administrative development to truly thrive. “The Arts Wing @ Maya” could be the answer Ward 7 needs.

The Arts Wing @ Maya Mission: To create artistic experiences around arts education, performance, and community building.

Through the “AAA” Formula, selected arts entities can grow and contribute to communities at large.

The “AAA” Formula is as follows: 1. Arts Administrative Support 2. Artistic Partnership/Community Enrichment 3. Artistic Programming Development Arts Administrative Support Capacity building doesn’t always have to be just a great grant. Human capital is the premium in any non-profit, especially in the arts. Ward 7 organizations leveling their relationship with Maya Angelou Charter School, could gain said capital through enthusiastic interns who undergo Ngoma’s four week arts administration program to obtain entry-level skills to start in DC’ s growing and established Arts employment sector. Together we grow.

Artistic Partnership/Community Enrichment It takes a village. With The Arts Wing @ Maya’s Community Pillar component, arts organizations provide community engagement through outreach performances, and talk-backs to improve their “community footprint” with residents and patrons.

Student photography from Critical Exposure Artistic Programming Development Envisioning exciting programming to generate earned revenue can sometimes be tricky. This component brings other arts organizations together collaborating on possible annual and special projects.

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Art Studio

Conference Room

Conference Room

Art Studio

Office Space

Office Waiting

Office Space

Room

This vertical mixed-use space, brings community, arts and health/fitness organizations together.

The office spaces can be multiple renters in one space or single occupants. Arts spaces are spread out by discipline. Theater spaces are provided for maximum use of future theatre productions and special events.

Space Layout 1st Floor

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Dressing Room

Theater

Theater

Mini Shop

Properties Storage

Theatrical Lighting Equipment

Greenroom

Health/Medical Space

Dance studios are placed next to possible physical therapy/Fitness/Health spaces, and small office spaces for emerging organiztioon. Music rooms provided for small to md-size ensembles with a theater rhearsal hall for musicals or acting rehearsals.

2nd Floor

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Waiting

Music Room

Space

Management Office

Health/Medical

Music Room

Theater

MACS Community

Rehearsal Hall

Room

Office Space

Dance Studio

Dance Studio

Office Space

Room

Dance Studio

The Arts Wing @ Maya Can Be Configured for: - Three Office Suites - Two Small Offices - A flex space for a health/fitness/or medical occupant - Two conference rooms for community or renters - Management Office - Theatre lighting equipment, mini-shop and properties rooms - Three dance studios - Theater rehearsal room - Two music rehearsal rooms - Two Art Studios - Three dressing rooms - 300-seat proscenium theater with a small performance area.

- Security Personnel

Black Theater Ensemble

Current Accommodations: - An emerging Art organization - A mid size dance organization - Theater rehearsal for two small theatre groups - Music rehearsal space for single to small ensembles - Office space ( seven to ten sharing organizations, and 4 mid-size organizations) Future Accommodations: - Theatrical season for one small theater companies - Theatrical season for four dance companies - Theatrical season for multiple music groups - Movie nights - Church services and conferences

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