Urban Artists Exchange
A Creative Placemaking Project Powered by Cityfest, Inc. and the City of Wilmington Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
The former Wilmington Police Department mounted patrol horse stables and the Urban Environmental Center will become Urban Artists Exchange (UAE) — an arts-based community development center that will engage and employ young urban artists by offering hands-on education initiatives.
Arts Education Spaces
Phase I of the project involves the conversion of the decades-long abandoned Wilmington Police Department horse stables into eight art-creation and teaching studios, and a group exhibition/gathering area. Phase I is scheduled for completion in December 2019. Future phases of the UAE are envisioned to include an open-seat amphitheater with an integrated wastewater management system, an outdoor public art exhibition, and environmentally sustainable landscaping.
Location
The UAE is located at 1500 Walnut Street in Wilmington’s East Side Historic District, which is one of the city’s traditional African-American communities. Urban Artists Exchange will establish the historic former Old City Stables as a distinctive destination, contiguous to historic sites such as the Clifford Brown Gardens and outdoor listening room, Howard Vo-Tech (formerly Howard High School), and the new Clifford Brown Loft Apartments.
Project Funding
Funding for this project is derived from the City’s Five Percent for Art Program, which allocates five percent of capital funding for the purpose of providing ornamentation, such as sculpture and artwork, on certain eligible capital projects involving public buildings or structures.
Total estimated cost of project: $1.3 million
Expected completion date: December 2019
Art Works Apprenticeship Program
Art Works Summer Apprenticeship Program (Ages 14-19)
Beginning its inaugural year in June 2020, Arts Work is a paid apprenticeship opportunity that will teach youth apprentices ages 14-19 artistic, personal, and entrepreneurial skills in the context of creating salable artwork.
Arts Work targets youth at risk of delinquency and other problem behaviors, and economically disadvantaged youth.
Studies have shown that when other interventions fail, the arts frequently succeed by opening minds to new possibilities.
During the 6-week multi-component arts program, apprentices will be encouraged to openly express themselves through their art-making while immersed in an affirming and nurturing environment. In addition to a Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. on-site schedule, off-site excursions to museums, live performances and other arts adventures will be held.
It is anticipated that for many Arts Work apprentices, the experiences will be a first.
Applications coming this Spring. For more information please email UAE@wilmingtonde.gov