Corporation for History, Art and Culture Firehouse Project Mission Outline

 

      To lessen the burden of government in the area of the arts, public education and community development by raising money to create a Center for History, Art and Culture at Historic Landmark, Firehouse Old 23s’, located at 225 E. 5^th St., Los Angeles, CA. To restore this Federal, State and City of Los Angeles designated historic site known as Old 23s’ in such a way as to maximize the unique architectural and acoustic features found in few other buildings in Los Angeles, for the fullest benefit to the community and City of Los Angeles. To operate the Center in a way that makes it self-supporting by holding regularly scheduled events and charging fees for the use of the Centers Production facilities. To create an audio/video production facility with high quality production value and use it to produce educational and classroom material. To produce community projects, promoting civic awareness and neighborhood development. To fund the projects of local youth, students and artists through grants and internship programs. To promote the centers facilities to professional artists entertainers and producers and use the value of the fees charged to support the Centers charitable projects. Create an Exhibit Hall/Fundraising Venue to exhibit the work of local artists, as well as national and international displays of art, science, history and culture. Raise money for Center projects and community organizations. Forge civic private partnerships for artists. To continue to use the building as a film location, serving students, local filmmakers and professional producers. To operate this Center as a resource for art and artists, help local artists to be more productive and increase their opportunity for employment, through internships, grants and training programs civic and commercial projects produced at the center. To establish this Center for the development, education and enjoyment of the local neighborhood, adjacent communities the greater Los Angeles area and those who visit here.

 

I.                    Restore the building to accommodate facilities which best utilize the attributes unique to Olde 23s’ for the greatest benefit with no cost to the City of Los Angeles.

A.     Exhibit Hall: 1^st floor

1.      Exhibits will be historic, artistic, cultural and/or scientific (art and sculpture, performing arts, multi media presentations etc.).

2.      There will be an emphasis on local art and artist opportunity.

3.      National and international works of interest will be exhibited.

4.      Money raised through the exhibits will be used to maintain and improve the Center.

5.      Exhibits will be presented in three languages, English, and Spanish.

B.     Fundraising Venue: 1^st floor and throughout the building according to the nature of the event.

1.      First money raised will be used to restore and maintain the building.

2.      After restoration is complete, funds will be raised for building maintenance.

3.      Venue will be available to raise funds for other civic groups, Cancer Society, historic preservation groups etc.

4.      Money will be raised for grants to local students and artists to fund their projects produced and/or exhibited at the Center.

5.      Events will include, catered affairs, dances and performances.

6.      Fundraising events will be held throughout the year.

C.     Multi-media Production Facility: 2^nd floor Video Production, rehearsal space, meeting/classrooms. 3^rd floor Audio Studio, meeting/classrooms.

1.      The magnificent visual and acoustic properties of Olde 23s’ make it uniquely suited for use in film, video, and audio composition.

2.      The Center will be used for commercial, civic and education oriented projects.

3.      Revenue from commercial audio, film and television projects will be used for building and facility maintenance and improvement, as well as funding for grants.

4.      The Center will be made available to students and local artists through internship programs and grants.

5.      Incentives will be offered to professional artists to encourage participation on projects from students and local artists

D.     Film/Television Location: The entire building.

1.      Olde 23s’ has been a popular film and television production location for nearly 40 years. Locations such as this are one more reason the film industry continues to produce product and maintain a major work force in Los Angeles.

2.      The City will realize constant revenue through the continued use of Olde 23s’ as a location.

a.       This will help augment any treasury funds, which may be allocated to restoration of Olde 23s’.

3.      The constant exposure of professional artists in the fields of film, television and music to the original, civic/educational projects originating at the Center, will increase the interest, exposure and quality of the work produced here.

4.      Student films and films by local filmmakers would receive full or partial grants to film at the center.

5.      When encouraged the film and television industry has been and can continue to be a valuable partner in the repair and maintenance of Olde 23s’.

6.      Work on professional film, television, audio and other productions will be available to students through internship programs.

7.      Local residents will work part time day labor on productions when possible.

II.                 The Center for History, Art and Culture at Olde 23s” will increase the neighborhood aesthetics and opportunities for neighborhood youth, students, residents, and community groups in the City of Los Angeles.                                                                          

             A.   A Magnet for Art and Artists.

1.      The classic architectural motif, ample space and resonant acoustics of Olde 23s” have been an inspiration for art and artists productions for 40 years.

2.      The availability in the surrounding area, of artist loft space and city designated low-income housing, make the neighborhood ideal for artist residency.

3.      An ever-changing presentation of work and displays by local artists, groups and associations will be on permanent exhibit at The Center.

4.      A permanent exhibit hall and production facility for area youth, students and local artists to display and produce their work will encourage residency of artists in the community.

5.      The Center will also display the work of artists, groups and Associations throughout the world, wishing to submit exhibits for consideration.

6.      The Center will be a magnet for continuing artistic development in Los Angeles.

7.      A center for art and culture appeals to the lifestyle choice of people attracted to artist loft living. Their patronage will help assure a constant viewing audience.

8.      All exhibits will be in Spanish and English ensuring that the many shoppers and merchants in the community will attend. This unique cultural paradigm will also attract residents and artists from the adjacent neighborhoods.

9.      The large viewing audience generated by the culturally inclusive exhibits and the atmosphere engendered by the beauty of this building beautifully restored, assures that artists, musicians, groups and associations from all over will want their work presented here.

10.  For the entertainment/artistic professional, the exposure to the various projects and ideas exhibited at The Center will be a source of interest and a connection with grass root trends from the greater Los Angeles culture.

11.  Aspiring artists and students will benefit from the exposure to entertainment professionals filming and recording in the Firehouse. This exposure will increase publicity, and help to foster a wider viewing audience for the exhibits and projects displayed and produced here.

B.     A Magnet for Community Business Development and Investment.

1.      Restoring this historic landmark will raise the value of the surrounding neighborhood.

2.      Recent U.S. history demonstrates that real estate values rise, housing and businesses are developed and communities become more upscale, over time, in areas where artists live and work.

a.       Venice Beach CA

b.      Soho district in New York

c.       French Quarter in New Orleans.

3.      The availability of low cost housing in the immediate area assures that struggling artists will have a place to live and develop into the foreseeable future.

4.      The constant stream of visitors to view presentations at the center will create a more constant flow of customers to local businesses even in traditionally slow times of the year and will create new business opportunities.

5.      The use of Olde 23s’ as a film location helps to keep film production in Los Angeles.

6.      The more jobs and opportunities for technical, creative artists and entertainment professionals in Los Angeles the more people likely to be attracted to the loft style living being developed in the historic core area.

7.      Creating a culturally diverse and exciting environment will attract city residents and visitors to Los Angeles to the area.

C.     Internships, Grants and Community Outreach.

1.      Internships

a.       Internships will be available through university, community college, trade-school programs and to local residents through the Centers Outreach program.

b.      Internships will be for projects produced at the Centers facilities.

c.       Internships will be for film, television and film production.

d.      The producer of each project will handle supervision and training of interns.

2.      Grants

a.       Grants will be awarded to local artists, students (junior high school through college age), and civic groups.

b.      Grants will be for new talent development, original concept, educational, and civic projects.

c.       Grants will be for use of Center facilities and resources.

1)      Exhibits

2)      Audio, Film and video production

3)      Professional talent.

4)      Center personnel.

3.      Community Outreach

a.       All employment at the Center will be available to qualified area residents.

b.      Center facilities will be available to local residents and community groups at a reduced rate through grants and internships.

c.       A permanent exhibit will be established for local artists and civic groups.

d.      After restoration the Center will be available to community organizations for fundraising events.

e.       Temporary meeting and rehearsal space will be available.

 

 

Summary

 

The Center Will

 

1.      Lessen the burden of government.

2.      Raise money for the restoration and maintenance of Olde 23s’

3.      Be self-sustaining.

4.      Promote civic /private partnerships for the advancement of history, art and culture.

5.      Develop opportunities for area artists, youth and students.

6.      Create a forum for creativity and learning between professional and aspiring artists.

7.      Promote the commercial development of the local area.

8.      Give exposure to area artists.

9.      Provide a place where local artists can develop and produce their ideas in an area with the low cost housing historically necessary for artistic development.

10.  Provide the facilities and resources for civic groups to produce video/audio informational material.

11.  Produce educational material.

12.  Stage regular exhibits in the public interest of art, science, history, etc.

13.  Promote art in the area through regular exhibits of work by local and international artists.

14.  Present the exhibits in English, Spanish and Korean.

15.  Continue to provide the film community with a location whose architecture is found in few other buildings in all of Southern California.

16.  Help keep film production in Los Angeles.

17.  Aid in the musical, film and artistic education of our youth and students through internships, grants, training and exhibits.

18.  Provide a location for student film shoots.

19.  Promote a culturally invigorating and inclusive neighborhood environment for area residents, businesses and shoppers.

20.  Provide an exciting environment for community organizations to hold fund raising events.

21.  Satisfy the various interests in the downtown area, civic, commercial and historic.