In May 2019 the Griffin-Spalding County Land Bank Authority invited Artspace, a national nonprofit leader in the field of affordable creative space development, to explore the potential for an artist live/work project in Griffin.
A series of focus group meetings with local leaders, artists and community members were held and potential sites and neighborhood options for new space development were explored. The Rosenwald School site in the Fairmont neighborhood with its close proximity to downtown and historic significance was identified as a priority location for future creative space. Spalding County and the City of Griffin among other public and private stakeholders expressed strong support for the concept, setting the stage for this next big step, an Arts Market Study. This study is necessary to understand the space needs and preferences of individual artists, creatives and makers. Survey respondents’ input will help local stakeholders and Artspace determine if there is enough interest to warrant further investment in new space and if so what types and how many spaces to create. We want to know if the Rosenwald School site is of interest to creatives and where else new space might be supported. Input from the recent survey will inform what amenities to include and what “affordable” really means to local artists, creatives and makers.