Replies: 23 Comments
on Friday, April 14th, look said
1. Ask yourself and answer honestly why are you doing it ? Your answer would determine the course of action, and the direction of this possible art centre.
2. If you are not able to handle it all by yourself, share it with somebody. Maybe a partner, a foundation, a company....etc. There is no limit to this possibility.
All the best.
look fr www.studiolda.com
on Thursday, April 6th, jose freitas cruz said
P, if this gets off the ground and you ever happen to be in the neighbourhood I hope you can stop by. keep challenging, keep up the fight. all the best.
on Wednesday, April 5th, p said
jose,
i have to admit - i was wrong. you are right.
give back - create a community-foster the arts...i agree with all.
I challenge all, not in a defeatist sense, but to fight, to fight in order to understand.
I am a cynic for my own purposes - most people say what they truly mean when there back is to the wall.
Thankyou, and good luck.
on Wednesday, April 5th, jose freitas cruz said
P, thanks for a very insightful comment. I’m not being ironic, you reveal much more than you may have intended. One of the things we will be on the lookout for will be for defeatist artists bringing negative attitudes towards positive endeavours – for what purpose? To keep them out! As to your second comment I truly don’t understand. Does it really matter whose place it is? Isn’t what whoever owns it is trying to do for artists in the community (and perhaps from further afield) more important than the matter of ownership? This has unfortunately become a cliché but you only get back what you give out. Here’s another good cliché for thought – turn your back on such a gift from the universe and… I’ll let you figure out the possibilities
on Tuesday, April 4th, p said
move out, save yourself the worry, let the rich perso.....hey is that your place and your just trying to squeeze some ideas for free?
As per above.
on Saturday, April 1st, jose freitas cruz said
Olga Thanks for sharing that with me.
Kathy, that is precisely my main worry, that in getting this thing going I’ll have a little less time for my art. If I look at it sincerely, however, it is a selfish worry and a response to my inherent laziness and reluctance for things beyond the studio. I faced the same feeling of dread when I set out to organize things in Brunei. Back then I could still claim that it might take time from my painting but unfortunately it’s no longer an excuse I can hold on to: I discovered that when I get back to the studio after ‘wasting’ my time on those more worldly things I enjoy it much more, I feel more released and I get much more done.
Thanks to all. With your comments and support we are slowly getting geared to think big and we hope to get this thing off the ground. Whatever the outcome though, it will have been a very positive experience. Most importantly it has tightened the bond between Rui, Fernando and myself – we are sure about one thing: we want [OD] to encompass all those things we have spoken about here and we are committed to making it happen if the financial conditions allow it. I’ll keep you all informed.
on Thursday, March 30th, Olga said
Jose,
Below is an example how to approach musical schools:
*******************************************************
Classic Kids in Bryant Park - 2006
On any given day there are countless sounds echoing from the buildings surrounding Bryant Park (located between 5th & 6th Avenues; between 40th & 42nd Streets). From the songs of Scott Joplin, to the arias of Amadeus Mozart, the City noise pales in comparison to the concerts and music coming from the Park.
Seeking performers – under 18 – who are interested in performing in Bryant Park during lunch:
Classic Kids
Classic Kids is an established summer concert series where New York’s most gifted and talented young musicians - between the ages of 9 and 18 - perform in Bryant Park on a weekly basis.
For the past three years Classic Kids has been a part of the Bryant Park lunchtime schedule. Performances occur on Tuesday’s at 12:15 p.m. from mid-May thru July.
In past years, many of New York’s finest students have participated in the series including students from: The Manhattan School of Music; the Special Music School; Mannes Prep; and the Pre-College Division of Juilliard.
If you are interested, please contact:
Susie Sigel
Special Projects
Bryant Park Restoration Corporation
34th Street Partnership
500 Fifth Ave., Suite 1120
New York, NY 10110
phone: 917-438-5151
fax: 212-719-3499
cell: 914-584-1070
Thank you.
on Thursday, March 30th, Kathy Todd said
Hi Jose, A daunting opportunity. If your patron is willing to provide a good money person to assist you and a P.A. to deal with everything else, then it's made in heaven. Remember, there's no such thing as free rent,it would be horrible to suddenly find yourself in a comprising position regarding your art. I like the idea of a healing centre/arts retreat. Will you have residencies? Workshops? The sky's the limit. I'll be following your progress.
Sincerely,
Kathy Todd
ps. a swim in the pool is VERY healing. Please don't cover it up.
on Thursday, March 30th, Kathy Todd said
Hi Jose, A daunting opportunity. If your patron is willing to provide a good money person to assist you and a P.A. to deal with everything else, then it's made in heaven. Remember, there's no such thing as free rent,it would be horrible to suddenly find yourself in a comprising position regarding your art. I like the idea of a healing centre/arts retreat. Will you have residencies? Workshops? The sky's the limit. I'll be following your progress.
Sincerely,
Kathy Todd
ps. a swim in the pool is VERY healing. Please don't cover it up.
on Tuesday, March 28th, Hyacinthe Baron said
I meant of course for you to THINK BIG. Of course you can always create a labor of love and put your energy forth for that purpose and let the universe bestow its bounty on you.
Best part is you have a choice. That's the greatest gift of all.
on Tuesday, March 28th, Hyacinthe Baron said
Jose: We are looking forward to collaborating with you in the future.
The scope of what is before you is stunning in its potential.
My best advice is to turn your cap around, or even change it to that of the business entrepreneur, setting the artist aside in your thinking of the realities of how this property can best be maintained and practically realized as a successful and self sustaining project.
Andrew's idea is perfect and there are many organizations in the U.S. as well.
However our preference has always been to go to the private sector.
I believe you are aware of the administrative issues to be dealt with and with assessing where to put your energy and money for the longest run.
There are so many possible routes to follow, and all of them will require funds to execute successfully.
On the other hand there is the possibility of bringing in outside entrepreneurs to lease the space from you to put on various events. i.e. Charitable functions, Music Festivals and many of the other events Ed did mention.
I was instrumental years ago in getting E.J. Korvette department stores to SPONSOR the Forest Hills Tennis Matches in NYC. It was the idea of two young men who had made money with a snow blowing business. They were smart enough to seek business sponsorship.
Plan out an event. Seek sponsors. The Palm Springs Film Festival here is sponsored by the local newspaper, magazine, tv station and a major, major corporation that underwrites the whole thing guaranteeing the money so the event is certain to have the money to pull it off.
You have the most viable of situations. It is my hope that you contemplate and decide wisely how to create something amazing and lasting. THING BIG.
on Tuesday, March 28th, jose freitas cruz said
Thank you for all your comments. just the simple fact of reading your feedback this morning set me in a different disposition for the meeting I had over lunch with Rui and Fernando – to set my own fears and doubts aside for a couple of hours and better handle the new ones they brought to the table and I hadn’t even thought about. It went well, relatively. We all brought in sufficient ideas to draw up a plan A and a plan B to present later this week.
Olga and Gabriella, great idea, and one I’m sure my patron will love. I have some musician friends, some classically trained, some experimental, one or two commercial ones I could also ask. I’m sure Rui and Fernando have some connections to musicians too. If we get this thing off the ground music will definitely be on the list of events. Perhaps an evening where 4 paintings are revealed, each one to the sound of a musical piece. I’ll definitely go and check the local music schools. The Bed & Breakfast though, Gabriella, I’m not too sure… I need to paint myself.
Walt, sorry I wasn’t so clear. I saw Jodi’s plan for the coming months, saw the opening and went for it. Yes, you are right. I’m not saying my patron would not agree to meet some of the expenses but the idea is to relieve her of the burden in exchange for being there without paying a rent. She wants to give something back to the community but doesn’t necessarily want her name too much in the forefront. The main house is almost 400 sqr meters, with ample rooms and high ceilings on the ground floor – lower on the first. [The annexe has 120 sr m. on the ground level]. There is ample room in the house for renting out studio spaces, and on the first floor there are two rooms that can continue to be bedrooms for guests who would come for residencies. There is a Kitchen and a wonderful old lady who comes to do some cleaning and cooks beautifully, if possible I’d like her to stay on, she is part of the magic of the place. Residencies are definitely on our list of things to look into to help make money. The garden/art competition is a thing to consider too, great idea. Somewhere down the line I could see the possibility arising of making arrangements with quarries to drop off stone in parts of the garden and get sculptors in. But we must start slowly. First the workshops and residencies, one or two shows in the garden and in the annexe.
Margaret, thanks for the sound advice – a simple, general plan, yes, this is what I want to present.
Marge, bringing in at-risk youngsters to be involved in the project is very good. I have some connections with doctors who run rehabilitation centres and there are other institutions we could perhaps team up with. The wedding consultant idea is brilliant!
Kelly, Diane, don't get me wrong I love the pool, however I see it as a source of undesireable situations. I don’t want to sound like a puritan but there are enough leisurely pursuits to be undertaken that are more productive artistically. There are enough waterways throughout the garden to make people happy. With the pool covered we can use the area as a small auditorium for some music events… of course if I can get my friend Roop Verma to come and do one of his sitar meditation weekends or just play one late afternoon or early morning I would have that on the lawn, under the trees somewhere. In the long run I would love to see it as a healing place.
Ed, thank you for sharing such precious information. But let me first answer your question. I did not get back to you on your kind suggestion that we cooperate because at the time I was still reluctant to do this. It had been asked of me and indeed I spoke to you about it but my mind just wasn’t in it. I wanted to sit back and paint – be the ego-selfish bastard I haven’t had a chance to be in a long time. Definitely, if this gets off the ground – either here or through the arrangements with the town council – we will get in touch with you to set something up that meets both our interests. But first, as you say so well, we have to have a plan and start gathering some money.
Ben, after reading all the comments you and all the others have been so kind to write I do indeed feel that I am in an enviable position, the 3 of us are. But personally I also feel that I’m walking on a double edged blade – the gates of paradise seem to beckon us in but will we be able to keep ourselves on the sunny side of things?
Andrew, just caught your words as I was about to post this. How true, so much money is thrown out the window for useless things in the EU these days. Soon there will be no more cow left to milk, but it's well worth looking into it to see if there is still a teat out there for art.
on Tuesday, March 28th, Andrew said
The EU hands out grants right and left to things they consider culturally valid. What might be neccesary is that you establish a foundation to give them the legal justification they will need to give you money. I know a foundation in Florence, which I think was established primarily to defer taxes for the owner of ten central hotels, and to fill them with guests of the foundation, which just received a check for three hundred thousand Euros from the EU. While it seems like these people actually do something cultural, in fact they have structured their organization to defer expenses like taxes, at the same time increasing earnings, and their interest in culture is only periferal. With a true cultural interest and a good adviser, there is money for funding if you make the right approach. You can start by asking the EU what it would require from you to be able to consider funding your efforts. Good luck! It's a great project.
on Tuesday, March 28th, Diane said
Jose,
Thank you for raising the issue for discussion. My friends and I are just starting our research into starting an art center and having just discovered this web site, you and your respondents have help us as well.
Our underlying theme is healing and literacy in and through the arts including performing, exhibition, and workshops. A sculpture garden as a place to read, reflect, and rest seems primary. We have not chosen a location and are hoping to find one where this would be possible. You have a lovely garden to work with and I agree that the pool would best be used by enhancing it as a part of the exhibit rather than hiding it. People like to be around water.
on Tuesday, March 28th, ben said
You are in a very priveledged position right now to have an opportunity to create the images in your minds eye. Fortunately you also have the means to create the bigger picture that you dreamt of when you imagined many years ago of being an international artist in practice. Might I add that you are in an enviable position.
on Tuesday, March 28th, Ed Baron said
To begin there are more questions than answers.
Sometime ago Hyacinthe asked if you would want to collaborate on a series of ART RETREAT WORKSHOPS we have going on here at the Baron Conservancy. It would have meant basically arranging tours and exchange groups from the U.S. going to your facility and vice versa.
Now that you are beginning to think in these terms so many possibilities exist.
First and foremost for any plan to be successful money is required.
Step one: Create a business plan and a succinct outline of what the facility will have to offer. Explore and detail all possible avenues.
Clarify those that could become activated first.
Detail budget and cost and profits.
Primarily aim to prepare a proposal that will have appeal to prospective patrons for backing.
Without funding as you well know the work soon overwhelms and frustrations can ensue.
There are corporations who send their employees on retreats, churches, museums and so on.
Examine money makers such as music and dance festivals, tennis matches, art fairs and auctions.
Offer the property as a TV and film location to studios world wide, if the government permits.
Do your homework. There are so many successful ventures of this sort that could be used as examples.
Prepare your package and set out to present it.
We believe in making the dream happen.
on Tuesday, March 28th, Kelly Borsheim said
Dear Jose,
This appears to be a lovely spot. I am wondering about the "planking the pool" thing. This seems odd, but then I am assuming that a beautifully clean body of water is only an added attraction, not an eyesore. It sets ambiance. Also, it could be more of a liability issue if not covered properly. That said, floating candles or colored underwater lights, esp. with the music everyone is suggesting, would enhance the space. Maybe performing artists in the pool!? What are we selling when we sell our art? Not a tangible "thing." We are selling emotion, an experience. I would think water would only enhance this and put everyone in the festive and possibly buying mood.
on Monday, March 27th, margaret stone said
Jose, it could be a wonderful thing. Perhaps start simply, a general plan. You will want to continue your own work I'm sure. I would certainly draw up some kind of contract, even if informally, that specifies what the initial plans will cover and who will be responsible for what and that includes the "Patron", and any moneys that will be spent and where it is coming from. All down on paper and agreed to by the involved parties. It could be open ended to account for plan growth. It would seem, once begun in a simple mode, the ideas will grow from that. They will become plans and then reality. You have so many options and I would certainly consider having a simple plan to begin, with future goals set forth for different stages of the process. Could be a wonderful and magical venture.
on Monday, March 27th, Marge Hewitt said
If there is a school in the vicinity, they might use the garden for teaching horticulture or science. If they can teach it as a career, they would furnish all tools, fertilizers, etc. I saw this done in England. The students were "at risk" teenagers who were learning a
marketable skill. They were working very hard, so proud of what they were accomplishing. They all wore bright orange tunics and had their teacher with them at all times. A "Bridal Consultant" who would be paid a percentage of the rental fees might bring in a lot of money. She (or he?) would work with caterers, florists, musicians, bridal shops, churches, etc. You'd need to have an indoor room for dressing and a contingency plan for rain. (A nearby church?)
on Monday, March 27th, gabriella said
From the phtographs you have provided there are formal gardens at your place. How far are you from a local university with a fine art music programme, or a landscape architecture programme?
What about if , in tandem with a music school, you organize a chamber music recital series in the gardens in the summertime, 17th 18th century music, that would be wonderful in your formal garden's setting. A landscape architecture school could provide interested bodies with maintaining and expanding upon the design of your gardens. Or you could set a part of the house aside for an full inclusive bed and breakfast/art workshop experience, say in the high tourist season. You might dedicate any gallery space to the artists leading the workshops, thereby giving them an opportunity to show and sell their work. Just grinding in my brain...
on Monday, March 27th, walt said
Yes, Olga is right. There are weddings, recitals, lectures, paid exhibitions, organizational retreats, and other ways to rent out various spaces for lengths of time or organize events that might charge at the door. An art center/lecture hall/retreat/celebration center would be great marketing.
I know you described the surrounding neighborhood once before. But how far from the main town/city is it? Is it somewhat convenient or way out in the country?
on Monday, March 27th, walt said
Jose,
I'm a little unclear... from the way you're talking it sounds like she does not intend to fund this project in any way. So does your patron intend to give you the place or rent it to you? In her mind is this her way of giving you a break...to see if you can make it go and fund yourself from it? or does she expect it to be something that advances her own reputation...in other words will she expect some kind of credit or even remuneration?
Not knowing how large the space is I wonder if there is room for other artist studios on the premises. A number of projects similar to this one that I have seen over the years often trades space for work. There is a space in Chicago that I've mentioned. The Zhou B Center for Art. It is a large wharehouse space. The two brothers who own it keep a studio on the top floor. the 3rd floor is rented out to other artists and art oriented business. the 2nd floor intends to be some kind of school/cultural exchange and the 1st floor a large gallery/museum style space and coffee shop. The studio tennants on the 3rd floor often get $$$ off their rent for helping in various ways. Construction, Maintenance and janitorial work and at some point I assume there will be positions in the cafe and gallery and possibly the school.
If there is an apartment left over after you move into the main house maybe you could do a regular residency of sorts. You could charge a monthly amount for room and board or just room. Artists would be on their own for the rest. You know I paid $700 a month for my space in New York for 3 months. I'm always interested in this sort of thing and would be willing to spend a bit more depending on the facilities and location. Although depending on the price I may not want to stay more than a month at a time. But truth is even say $1000 for a month in Europe + whatever my other expenses (airfares, food, materials etc.) turn out to be is a very cheap vacation/residency.
I've known several artists, usually oriented to conceptual art, who have had an interest in gardens and expressing themselves through gardens. Besides your idea for corporate use you may concider an annual summer (you know the seasons better than I, it could be spring) garden/art competition. Entry fees, dpepnding on how successful, might help defray regular maintenance. Maybe someone might be interested in establishing and maintaning a topiary section of the garden for advertising.
And of course corporate and other kinds of funding are a must. but again, if the patron wants some credit maybe she can pony up a small budget if only for general maintenance. Will this be in honor or memory of someone special? Maybe there is a way to do fundraisers in their name. Again it all depends on your patrons motives (not that I'm questioning them on moral grounds...but it always better to understand the agenda.)
on Monday, March 27th, Olga said
Jose,
If there you have friends-musicians or their kids musicians, you can organize private concerts in parallel with art exhibitions in addition to workshops. My daughter, who is 13 plays very well piano (she is a student of Juilliard pre-college). So from time to time she needs to have a recital, play on public. We know nice rich family nearby who generously organize such recitals. We bring food and wine, they bring guests and provide their house.
In this case no tickets, no money involved. But in your case, you can organize such events burt with tickets.
[annexe: a gallery on the ground floor – 120 m2 ]
[on the 1st floor: pool is to be covered with planks to extend exhibiting potential for sculptures and visitors and patrons to enjoy a few nibbles with the artists…]
