Little Rock, Ark. (September 7, 2022) – Minneapolis-based Artspace Projects, in partnership with Little Rock-based Windgate Foundation, announced plans to advance a new mixed-use project for artists in Little Rock’s East Village neighborhood, the Artspace Windgate Campus. The construction plan is a four-story building that will provide 60 units of affordable live/work style housing designed for artists and their families, ten working artist-in-residence studios, ample event and gallery space including a large outdoor courtyard, and approximately 16,000 square feet of commercial space for local arts and cultural organizations.
The Artspace Windgate Campus grew out of a strategic effort led by the Windgate Foundation with key support from civic leaders, arts organizations, local artists, and creative businesses. Through strong local momentum acknowledging the arts as a strategy for community development, Artspace partnered with the Little Rock and North Little Rock communities beginning in 2018 to explore the feasibility of an Artspace live/work project in Little Rock’s historic East End. View the full Feasibility Report HERE.
“Providing the creative community in central Arkansas with a place to gather, live, and work is essential to the growth of our culture and economy. Our belief in this project and our confidence in Artspace is what propelled Windgate Foundation to initiate it. The response from artists in the area was so enthusiastic. We knew it would be a welcomed addition to Little Rock.”
–Robyn Horn Board Chair at Windgate Foundation
“The Artspace Windgate Campus will build on local efforts to provide a hub and a home for the creative community in Central Arkansas by providing access to affordable spaces to live, create, and experience art.”
–Lucas Koski, Director of Property Development at Artspace
The new project has many local champions including Little Rock Mayor, Frank Scott Jr. “I am excited to have the Artspace Windgate Campus located in the East Village area of Little Rock’s historic East End,” said Scott. “This innovative project will bring not only bring additional affordable housing to this area but serve as a neighborhood hub. With its proximity to the Clinton Presidential Center, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and the future home of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, it will be an anchor for Little Rock’s expanding arts and culture scene. When we look at what makes cities great, it is a combination of affordable housing, economic opportunity, and exciting quality of life. The Artspace Windgate Campus provides all three. The impact of this project will be felt in the immediate neighborhood and beyond our city limits.”
“We are very excited to play a role in bringing together a community with a shared artistic passion and common interest to Little Rock. Artspace will add to the strong aggregating power that will further stimulate the growth of art in Central Arkansas and beyond. This collaboration will not only bring people together physically. It will inspire and celebrate creativity, while also strengthening the community’s diverse cultural character.”
–Stan Hastings on behalf of the Rosalyn & Harry Hastings family.
“Welcoming an Artspace campus to Little Rock will bolster the continued growth of our vibrant arts community. While Central Arkansas boasts a network of cultural organizations, public and private support, and enthusiastic patrons, the addition of the Artspace Windgate location will afford new opportunities to our artistic community. We are thrilled our city will have specially designed spaces for artists to live and work and look forward to collaboratively building a thriving cultural future.”
–Dr. Victoria Ramirez Executive Director, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The Windgate Artspace Campus is a four-story, approximately 94,000 -square-foot development. All 60 live/work units of lofts will be affordable for residents earning between 30-60% of the Area Median Income. The anticipated project construction start timeline is Summer 2023 and completion in Fall 2024.
Media Contact
Tio Aiken tio.aiken@artspace.org
