Fortify Spread Art

With the COVID-19 outbreak, Spread Art has had to put all public programming on hold which has been difficult both for our community that relies on Spread Art for their sustainability and our organization, especially as we are in the beginnings of dire building maintenance. We would like to use this time to continue to better our space while the building is not in demand-especially as we keep finding more that needs to be done and are receiving less contributions than normally. We would also like to take this time to raise money for our resident artists who have been affected with the economic turns resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Spread Art is a non-profit community incubator that fosters creativity by providing affordable, accessible and inclusive space that creates opportunities through collaborations with artists, musicians, curators, innovators as well as Detroit community members and organizers.

Spread Art serves as a place for Detroit to experiment with ideas, concepts and realizations without the fear of failure. Spread Art facilitates workshops, community meeting/gathering space, multidisciplinary art exhibitions, music, dance and performance events- all that push creative boundaries, incorporate education, technology, and invite public participation all while exploring relevant social themes.

We started this fundraiser campaign initially to help begin a new phase in our upper levels programming. With the intention of better sustainability for Detroit artists and our organization, we proposed to transform our live/work artist in residence apartment into three additional artist studios with shared access to slop-sinks, a communal kitchen and living room. We also asked for your help in installing new outlets and light switches. Much of this work from the first phase that we fundraised for has been completed, all thanks to your help!
These improvements are crucial to our sustainability, providing communal opportunities, and ensuring the safety of the many communities who utilize Spread Art.

Original goal of $5,000 was for light switches, electrical outlets, plumbing, slop sinks and bathroom renovation.

Additional needs we are fundraising for: 

1. Beam Replacement - $5,000 the support beam under our stage and theatre is in need of replacement and reinforcement. This is a major project that will involve jacking the first floor and installing a stronger foundation for the theatre. This is crucial to the continuation of our building and safety of our community. 
2. Bathroom remodel - $2,000 What we thought would be a repair turned into a complete replacement of the bathroom floor. Much of the plumbing also had to be replaced and we are still in need of proper light fixtures. This project has not been completed. Our bathroom is located above the control booth in our theatre which leaves much technology important to our operations vulnerable to water damage. It is therefore important to make sure we have proper and sealed flooring in the upstairs bathroom. 
3. Furnace - $3,000 We had an inspection which claimed that our furnaces were “ancient.” Soon after, our second floor furnace gave out leaving our three new artists in residence cold. We know spring is around the corner but we are located in Detroit after all; where the weather is unpredictable. Help us in obtaining a furnace for our second floor.
4. Mold and Moisture Remediation - $1,250
A recent inspection reported that our basement is “mold infested.” This must be remediated for the safety of those who will be accessing the basement to replace the beam, our community, and the materials stored down there.
5. Water Meter- $150
Our water meter is leaking and we need to replace the gate valve. As is the case with all the work we have mentioned so far, this may turn out to be more costly than we are anticipating. The location of our water shut off is currently unknown and we may need to dig it out which is no simple task.
6. Refinishing Theatre Floors - $2,100
We have old hardwood floors in the theatre that are disintegrating and splintering. Refinishing this historic floor would allow for dancers to be able to utilize our space again for classes and rehearsals.
7. 4 months of studio contributions for 8 artists - $6,500 While these times bring much uncertainty as to when we will all be able to return to our normal routines, we would like to provide our 8 artists in residence with 4 months of studio space so they can continue their practices without the insecurity of losing the means to create.

Total: $20,000 + $5,000= $25,000

Spaces like Spread Art are becoming few in Detroit and it is important that we maintain this freeform cultural entity for the community to be able to continue to experiment with new ideas, support eachother and gather.

Spread Art's programming is entirely curated by the Detroit community and without them, we would be just another empty building. Within a 12 month period, we host up to 80 events, all proposed and organized by different creative communities from around the city. This has proven the clear need for accessible, affordable space that serves the ever creative energy this city generates.

Our programming is curated by people from all corners of Detroit and we are proud to offer them opportunities not only to hold space for their aspirations, but also to support their own economies. Spread Art serves creatives at all different points in their careers, whether they are just starting out or are nationally or even internationally renown.

The need for our space is known. Now, we just want to make sure it is safe and actually accessible to the artists we strive to serve. Launching these studios, common area and kitchen will really boost our morale, allow our many communities to connect better and motivate us to tackle other repairs needed to better secure our building for everyone!