Welcome to Artspace Michigan City

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The Warren Building at 717 Franklin Square

The Warren Building circa 1954

Dear Artists, Friends and Colleagues,

In the fall of 2008, the Michigan City Preservation and Education Foundation invited Artspace to determine the feasibility of developing an affordable artist live/work project somewhere along the four-block portion of Franklin Street between Eighth Street and Fourth Street. After two days of meeting with local artists and community leaders, touring adjacent neighborhoods, and learning about the increase in arts-related activities due to an abundance of relatively inexpensive space, Artspace felt confident that a full Survey of Artists’ Space Needs and Preferences would demonstrate support for a project of at least twenty-five residential units—and potentially more.

In July of 2009, Artspace delivered the results of the Survey with data supporting the creation of up to thirty live/work units and recommending up to twenty-one work-only studio spaces. Due to the growing number of galleries and the new Uptown Arts District designation, Artspace now believes the Market supports between thirty-five and forty live/work units.

While a handful of existing buildings and vacant lots were considered, the Warren Building located at 717 Franklin Square was selected as the Artspace Michigan City site in June of 2011. The upper five floors of the Warren Building will be renovated into affordable live/work units for artists and their families while the first floor will be used for a combination of arts-related community and commercial spaces.

Kil Architecture & Planning out of South Bend, Indiana was brought on to lead the design team in September of 2011. Kil’s experience with affordable, multifamily housing, historic preservation, and sustainable design will help guide the project.

Artspace is currently working to secure funding for the project while continuing community outreach. Another artist update event will take place in November. More information to come. We encourage use our email sign-up option below to receive furture updates by email.

For more information about Michigan City and its arts community, please visit www.lubeznikcenter.org and www.michigancitychamber.com.

For more information on Artspace, please visit our official site.

Thank you!

-The Artspace Team

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