Artists brainstorm about a downtown co-op

For Wednesday’s meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing an artists’ co-op in downtown Chapel Hill, organizers set up about 20 chairs in Michael Brader-Araje’s renovated space on Franklin Street.

That wasn’t nearly enough.

More than 50 people, mostly artists, showed up. They stood, sat on the floor and leaned against the wall as they listened, asked questions and tossed around ideas.

Dwight Bassett, Chapel Hill’s economic development officer, chaired the meeting, which also featured Laurie Paolicelli of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, Martha Shannon of the Orange County Arts Commission, and Zoe Nelson and Debbie Ordan, two members of the successful Hands Gallery co-op in Boone.

Virtually everyone agreed that an artists co-op could be a significant cultural and economic addition to downtown Chapel Hill. Beyond that, there are a lot of questions: How would it be organized? Where would be it be? (One possibility: the very space where the meeting was held) Would it include just visual arts, or would performing arts be included as well? Just gallery space, or artists’studios too?

And the biggest question of all: Can it be made financially viable?

Nelson and Ordan said one reason Hands thrives in downtown Boone is that it has a supportive landlord who is willing to accept less than top dollar. Hand rents for less than $10 per square foot, they said. By contrast, the market rate for 109 E. Franklin Street is more like $28 per square foot, Barrett said.

“But don’t let the numbers scare you,” Barrett said. “Our intention at this stage is to share ideas and gauge the level of interest and potential participation.”

Based on the potential positive impact and the keen interest expressed thus far, Bassett said there’s every reason to continue exploring the idea. He said that the economic data he’s seen indicates that the market could support an arts co-op downtown.

“It’s pretty obvious, based on the turnout and the interest, that it’s certainly worth it to continue to pursue this and see if we can make it a reality," he said.

We’ll have more details and a full story in Sunday’s Chapel Hill News.