EPIC ARTS
NEW COMMUNITY & CULTURAL CENTER
The Vision
Our vision is a truly inclusive, family-oriented, culturally diverse and multi-generational arts center that engages, inspires and enhances the quality of life for all who desire to participate. Our intention is that this center serves as successful model for community-centered development and provides an artistic and cultural legacy for generations to come.
The new facility will replace the existing mixed-use complex at 1923 Ashby Ave in Berkeley, the current site of Epic Arts Studios, and increase our capacity to serve ten-fold, from 8,000 to 80,000 persons annually.
This redevelopment project will establish a new standard by paying tribute to the current cultural and historical context, as well as provide a key community and cultural nexus for this South Berkeley / North Oakland neighborhood, the greater East Bay, and beyond.
Plans include a cafe, performance space, dance studio, digital media lab, recording studio, art gallery, artist studios, confrence facility, resident artist apartments, crafts workshops for kids and adults, classrooms, a courtyard garden and our administrative offices. This expanded facility will dramatically enhance our program offerings and activate the cultural, social and economic vitality needed to sustain a legacy of positive growth for neighborhood youth, seniors, families, artists, and visitors alike.
Background
For over 10 years, Epic Arts has been producing cultural activities, facilitating collaboration and pursuing our mission of building community through the arts. Our first facility, Jingletown Gallery, was a successful underground East Oakland art space that was not centrally located with easy access by public transportation. In 2003, Epic Arts moved to its present location directly across the street from the Ashby BART station on the border of Berkeley and Oakland in the historic Lorin District.
Connecting people and relating directly with our neighborhood is an essential part of our mission.
Since moving to our present location we've fostered cultural vitality by working with community groups, facilitating collaborative public art projects and programming more than 180 accessible events annually. In 2004 Epic Arts intitiated creation of the Ashby Arts District, an alliance of neighboring non profits and arts organizations working together to increase participation in local arts.
Epic Arts Studios serves as a vital nexus of positive community and cultural experiences.
Highlights of our collaborative neighborhood events include the South Berkeley Shines Mural Project, Senior Stories Murals and the annual Ashby Arts District Open House Celebration.
Beyond neighborhood programing Epic Arts produces a number of large-scale opportunities for cultural participation such as the "How Berkeley!?" Parade & Festival (enjoyed by 30,000 people, enlisting the involvement of over 800 community members, businesses, and organizations annually) and "The Bright River," a wildly successful hip-hop theater show playing to a combined audience of over 50,000 people.
The Need
For the past 4 years Epic Arts has struggled to fit existing programs and services within 1200 sq ft of usable space. At present, most of the 6000 sq ft building is not accessible or sufficiently equipped to serve our needs, forcing us to contain our programs to a mere 20% of the existing structure. To make matters worse, a recent fire rendered nearly half of the property uninhabitable and in need of immediate demolition.
The Solution
In February 2005 Ashby Community Partners, a public-private partnership, was established to develop this significant and sustainable community asset. Epic Arts and our community development partners have been working with program administrators, architects, and city planners to prepare for the programming goals of our new and improved center.
Our goal is to remain approachable to the wide range of socio-economic, and cultural perspectives that make ours a diverse yet notably under-realized neighborhood. We've taken great care in designing our new building within the neighborhood's rich cultural and historical context.
Progress
Currently, we are working with City staff to complete the final stages of the zoning and permitting process. Once the permits are complete traditional construction financing may be acquired through the Partnership with local financial institutions and non-profit financing opportunities. See the complete plans below!
The time is now. We have everything in place to make this a reality with your financial support.
Campaign for Community-Based Arts & Culture
Epic Arts is raising funds toward a goal of $5 million to develop a 10,000+ sq-ft center for community arts and culture.
Reaching our entire fundraising goal will eliminate the burden of facility financing, reduce future program expenses, enable more free and low fee services and allow the majority of our operating capital to be applied directly to programs.
This campaign represents the culmination of 10 years of planning, community development and relationship building. We have established a robust social and political base, fined tuned our objectives, and engaged a significant audience that is eagerly waiting to see this project realized.
Here's what you can do:
- Donate - Contribute to our general fund or to a specific program area
- Naming Opportunities – Dedicate a portion of the facility or a program
- Make a multi-year pledge of support
- Buy a Brick - Buy a brick for yourself or in honor of someone else that will be recognized for generations in our courtyard garden.
- Lead a Challenge Grant and inspire others to give
- Become a Supporting Member - get even more connected to our work and receive additional membership benefits
- Host a Fundraising Event
- Consider Epic Arts in your charitable, estate and tax planning
Beyond financial contributions, your energy and effort are always welcome:
- Become an "Arts Ambassador" get training and inspire others to get involved
- Show your support! Write a letter of support, send an email, or sign our online petition
- Volunteer for our Capital Campaign Team
- Spread the Word- share this opportunity with anyone you know who might be able to help
Get more details and stay in the loop- the most up to date information for getting involved. Email or call 510-644-2204 ext 14.
Epic Arts is a grassroots, 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to promote collaboration and community development through the arts. Since 1997, we have been building community partnerships, mobilizing local artists, producing cultural events, and developing resources and facilities to ensure accessibility for artists, performers and audiences.
Want to take a peek inside? Tell us what you think and we'll give you access to the complete plans right now!