World Arts Focus and JOE'S

The Campaign for a New Joe’s Movement Emporium is a $3.7 million capital project to purchase a neighboring, under-utilized warehouse on Bunker Hill Road in Mount Rainier, Maryland, and renovate this building into a new community performing arts center. This project is one of the anchor projects of the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District, and it will expand community revitalization and meet the needs of artists and local residents. The new community performing arts facility will contribute the following:

~ Promote a thriving arts audience and philanthropic culture;

~ Stimulate a professional performing arts industry;

~ Empower neighborhood youth to be expressive and successful; and

~ Create a livable community with authentic relationships across racial, ethnic, and socio-economic lines.

In January 2007 – and with the generosity of many stakeholders and investors – we opened the doors of the New Joe’s Movement Emporium. In this 20,000 sq. ft. facility, we launched a range of new programs in arts education, productions, and artist services. These dimensions include the following:

~ Three large studios (approximately 1,200 sq. ft. each) for classes and rehearsals. The adult schedule has almost doubled from previous years because of the new studio space. More classes and workshops are offered each semester.

~ A reception area and lounge for concessions and meetings in the upper lobby.

~ Five individual offices and studios for local performance groups, including the DC Drum Corp, Improv Arts and the American Composers Forum, Marcia Freeman, the Mitchellville Community School of the Arts, and the Washington Men’s Camerata (archival and sheet music project).

~ A new Arts Education Center dedicated to serving more 300 children and youth a week during the school year and hundreds more during the summer months. Year-round programs include after-school enrichment activities, tutoring, summer camps, free family performances, artist residencies, community productions, and pantry kitchen.

~ New administrative offices, dressing rooms, production and costume rooms, and storage units.

Core to the organization’s mission is creating cultural experiences that are authentic and enduring. The New Joe’s provides a unique environment for community members to walk into a space and begin a journey in the arts. The New Joe’s is used seven days a week by 2,000 visitors and patrons each month. More than 25 artists and performance groups have joined the Artist Services Program. Artists sign leases to rehearse, perform, and teach at Joe’s. Styles and instruction range from West African to Central Asian to classical Thai to Latin ballroom to contemporary and hip-hop.

New Phase: The Performance Theatre

We are moving forward with the addition of our 150-seat performance theatre. The project involves the rehabilitation of a 3,200 sq. ft. space with enclosed office unit. The renovation will include leveling the current floor and installation of hardwood floors. The project will also require full electrical work, installation of bleachers, purchase and installation of theatre equipment, and build out of the tech office.

With completion of the performance theatre, the new Joe’s will have the capacity and technical resources to support the following programs:

~ Ten performing arts organizations conducting 4 performances a week for 3 week runs.

~ Twelve performing arts organizations conducting 1 show per month per year.

~ Thirty-six community events rentals.

~ More than 100 facility rentals for films, lectures, master classes, and workshops; a youth work study/internship program for theater technicians; and an infusion of retail sales into Mount Rainier and Gateway Arts District shops and restaurants.

Completion of the performance theatre will enhance cultural programs and
learning opportunities for largely underserved audiences. The new space
will be used for festivals and performances featuring a number of cultural
communities in the metropolitan region. The organization has already
received numerous inquiries from Southeast Asian, Indian, Central Asian,
Latin American, and West African cultural groups about using this site for
future programs.

We have secured $230,000 in public support and $30,000 in corporate sponsorships for this project. Many of the corporate donations were derived from participation in the state allocation of tax-credits for community development projects. We are currently seeking matching support from other private sources and individuals. Our projected goal is $665,000.