c{space: Dayton’s Community Arts Venue Moves Forward

Emerging from the DaytonCreate initiative inspired by the principles of urbanist Richard Florida, a committee of community stakeholders transformed a vacant 5,000 sq ft , former downtown bank building into a community creative space.  This initial cadre of catalysts  set out to cultivate an environment that would support an already existing, but often unseen street-level arts culture in the city.

Anne Rasmussen, c{space general manager, was one of those catalysts. Rasmussen was a part of a committee that conducted research for the feasibility of a community arts space.  She said her group discovered that Dayton had a high concentration of artisans and “creative types”, but lacked a proper venue to showcase their work. Rasmussen believes c{space can fill that void and become a center for a burgeoning homegrown arts community in Dayton.

“Some communities do a much better job of celebrating their emerging art scenes and helping them grow,” she says. “What everyone we talked to said was that they needed a place. A place that had the kind feel the culture we needed. Traditional venues such as The Victoria Theatre, although they do great shows there, is a formal environment.  We’re trying to develop a more interactive venue.”

Rasmussen said the group wanted a central location – one that was easily accessible for the entire Dayton region and its surrounding suburban areas.

“We wanted to showcase downtown’s built assets and this space was empty for quite some time,” she says, referring to the gutted-out, yet architecturally appealing, structure at 20 N. Jefferson Street.

In Sept of 2008, c{space hosted its first event : LadyFest Dayton, an art and music festival of female performers featuring local talent.  The event was very successful, Rasmussen says, but it highlighted the need for dialogue with city officials regarding building use and city code requirements.

“[LadyFest] brought the attention of who we were and what we were trying to do to the City [of Dayton],”  Rasmussen recalls.  “As a committee, we didn’t know all the ropes.  So, that’s what started the whole rigorous process of talking to the City of Dayton about our mission…seeing if they were willing to give us the kind of permitting that we needed to use the space for assembly purposes.”

After weeks of dialoguing with the City’s building permit officials, and the building inspections were conducted, Rasmussen said the committee was able to secure a long-term, temporary assembly use permitting.  The group has just renewed the permit for the next six months and has recently signed their first long-term lease with building owner, Brian West.

“We were going month-to-month initially,” she said. “For a long time, we were just paying $1 a month. We’ve been given some financial support recently that is allowing us to pay a more realistic rent.

Brian’s been very patient and supportive of our efforts. Without his willingness to work with us, c{space would not exist.”

c{space has hosted a diverse mix of community activities from photography shows, hosted by local photographer Kidtee Hello, to spoken word & poetry performances hosted by the Dayton Poetry Slam. The space has been used regularly as a public meeting place;  The Downtown Plan Public Forum was held there last February, and the updayton candidates forum took place in October.

Armed with an extended assembly permit and the new leasing arrangement, Rasmussen said c[space is ready to enter “phase two” of development.

“We’re wide open to new events,” she said. “However, because c{space is an entirely volunteer driven project, we have to move slowly. Every step of the way is a learning experience, so ‘slow and steady’ is kind of my motto.”

Some upcoming events for c{space include a three-day performance of  Rent in June by local musical troupe  Encore Theater Company, spoken word performances from The Dayton Poetry Slam, an all high school musical and art show tagged “Play for Peace” on Urban Nights, a local two day music festival slated for June, and more.

A huge step forward for the organization is the planning of bi-monthly workshops held on Sundays at c{space.  Local artisan Ali Marshall, who is coordinating the workshops, said she hopes to attract people who are looking to learn new talents.

“We’ve had workshops on everything from painting to urban backpacking, from hip hop dancing to fiber art to yoga,” Marshall says. “I believe in a sharing of our inner passions, a collective education that is passed from one to another, in person.”

Marshall says the fees vary, depending on the workshop.  She adds, however, that c{space realizes the “economic crunch” that many local residents face and the fees will reflect that.  Past workshop fees have been as low as $5.

Mary Burnside, c{space event coordinator, schedules and coordinates many of the activities for the fledgling organization, including last December’s Handmade Holiday, an eclectic craft bazaar featuring authentic handmade items.  Although she is optimistic about the future of c{space, she acknowledges that there is more work to be done.  Interior structural improvements to the building are required.  Firewall construction, broken ceiling tile replacement and electrical upgrades are just a few of those facility improvements.

c{space representatives said a website has just been launched and they are looking to improve the sound system for the building.

Despite the challenges, c{space management said enthusiastic residents have stepped forward with a willingness to help the venue reach its potential.  Rasmussen hopes more residents and businesses will embrace c{space and their vision for the community.

“We’re really excited to see what’s going to happen in the next six months,” Rasmussen said. “We want to see if we can create enough activity in here to say, ‘Hey, this place should be permanent.'”

20 N. Jefferson Street

Dayton, Ohio 45402

c{space monthly workshops facebook site can be found here.

For information concerning the workshops, Ali Marshal can be contacted at Zenshiva27@gmail.com.

Event planner Mary Burnside can be reached at mk.burnside@gmail.com.

Check out the new website at cspacedayton.org