Artspace finding success in the nonprofit sector

Published: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:32 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

Artspace is succeeding by applying entrepreneurship to the nonprofit world.

Artspace was founded in 1980, but its efforts to provide living and working space for artists have accelerated since executive director Jessica Norie joined the organization in 1998.

Norie has directed development of the Artspace Bridge Project, which contains 62 units of affordable housing and 20,000 square feet of commercial space to house small retail shops, offices for nonprofits and artists' studios.

She also has overseen development of the Artspace City Center, 18 affordable live/work townhouses and 22,000 square feet of commercial space, which was the first project in Utah financed using New Markets Tax Credits.

This relatively new tool in the real-estate marketplace has helped bring equity to the organization's projects, including the upcoming Artspace Commons, located just a few blocks south of other Artspace properties on Salt Lake's industrial west side. The property is in Salt Lake City's RDA Granary Development District, which the city plans to transform from industrial to residential and commercial uses.

Story continues below

As with other Artspace developments, the Commons project will help the city reach that goal. However, Artspace's unique goals ensure that, even as its projects help gentrify and improve the city's rundown neighborhoods, the artists and other "urban pioneers" whose presence brings so much vitality can continue to afford to live there.

Artspace uses sustainable building techniques and will continue to do so as it strives, under Norie's guidance, to become a self-sustaining nonprofit. The organization covers the majority of its operating expenses with fees from its projects, and Norie believes that as more projects are built, fees from those developments should reduce the need for grants and other assistance.

Recent comments

The Artspace mission is certainly one people can believe in....

Anonymous | July 1, 2009 at 10:41 a.m.

How unfortunate that the organization's leaders with a once laudable...

economic justice | June 30, 2009 at 10:17 p.m.

Image

Jessica Norie

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

Maya was wronged. The trophy was stolen. The judges had to give him a 30 so...

Go Coug's I'll be there at LES and I expect a great finsh from Max Pitta and Co.

Y. focused on 10-win season

At least he won't be a stupid Junior. Has anyone played worse in the rivalry...

I was hoping they would win, but the were up against a lot of great talent....

I agree completely with your comments about Jay Leno. He goes way to far and...

I, too, think Mr. Gale does a great job with his articles. His...

We should drill more and lower the price globally for oil. Fine build nuclear...

Utahns prove love for Twilight

No I don't own a poster of shirtless Jacob - but there is a huge difference...

Gary, What nonsense! Specify the emails that "prove" deception. You...

if you guys don't think soccer is a sport? then what do you consider a sport?...

Advertisements