2021: Imagining a Different Future

Texas Legacy Arts Incubator

Institute for Community Revitalization through Entrepreneurship, Arts, Technology and Enterprise. I created the logo, inspired by Keith Haring

I wrote this in 2002. I’m sharing it in its original form to demonstrate that although it wasn’t actionable at the time, the envisioned solution is sustainable because it’s committed to the long term mission to #seedrootgrowsustain wealth locally.

Austin 2021

Instead of the envisioned creative economic earn/learn hub we wanted, Austin got this…

The location that we had envisioned for TLAI is being developed into the standard Austin model: high-dollar housing with retail on the bottom and, in an ironic twist, formerly-local Whole Foods 360 will have a presence there, adding the new wealth from Austin into ever-growing flow of money to Amazon. This is happening on the land between 4th & 5th Streets just east of I-35, on which Reji Thomas had her Graphic Glass studio that became Pine Street Station then the Levi’s Fader Fort during SXSW and, finally, a memory that will disappear as those of us who spent time there let it go. ~ Crafting Austin’s Regenerative Future

Mission

iCREATE advocates for historically disadvantaged populations seeking access to skills and resources that provide economic opportunity to improve their quality of life and facilitates community revitalization through Entrepreneurial Arts, Technology, and Enterprise.

The overarching goal is to create and employ a community-based economic model that redefines the relationship between for profit and nonprofit organizations, community and business, and government sectors and faith-based organizations, and brings together non- traditional resources, an equitable mix of public and private resources that provide collaborative solutions to socio-economic problems.

Objectives

iCREATE will initiate and develop a collaborative model among various organizations, communities, and people with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints to identify and leverage resources that may be separately addressing similar or common socio-economic problems.

1. Identify and increase the asset base that exists in “at-promise” historically disadvantaged populations.
2. Identify and create collaborative programs that will provide access to economic opportunities for the historically disadvantaged, including access to trade skills, business training programs, higher education, and entrepreneurship training for micro- enterprise.
3. Bring together separate organizations, which have common missions, in a new, collaborative model to leverage resources, streamline operations, and allow for easier access to services for the historically disadvantaged.

Texas Legacy Arts Incubator Project

iCREATE’s first program to implement its mission and objectives is the Texas Legacy Arts Incubator (TLAI), an architectural artisan-based economic development model designed to incubate micro-enterprise in Texas and beyond. It is a far-reaching enterprise that will increase the kind and number of people who participate in the economic development of the larger community and create new market opportunities for corporate sponsors.

In addition to the economic value TLAI will provide to the community, we will bring a wide variety of educational opportunities with the architectural artisan tradecrafts education and apprenticeship programs, which will be taught by well-known masters. The programs are primarily targeted at at-risk youth and historically disadvantaged populations.

For example, a child who cannot learn geometry in a traditional classroom may learn more in a building arts classroom in which the lesson has a more practical application. With this new support from the TEA, a building arts school such as the Legacy Arts Incubator becomes an even more important part of the educational landscape in Austin.

Not only will more students maintain success in school, those who are deemed to be part of the ‘No Child Left Behind’ program have a better chance to complete their required subjects in a timely manner. The added bonus will be a better educated workforce with a defined skill set which will allow them to access two additional success pathways:

1. immediate movement to the construction/ building arts workforce; or
2. continuing their building arts education and becoming a master of their trade.

The TLAI will provide opportunities for cultural preservation, micro-business growth and development and workforce training. The first level of the TLAI architectural artisan tradecrafts training and apprenticeships will include:

1. Stone: masonry, carving
2. Metal: blacksmithing, metal work
3. Wood: furniture making, master carpentry
4. Clay: master craft tile work, ceramics

Our research has shown that there is a large [and growing] adult population interested in acquiring these job skills as well. Based on the iCREATE values of accessibility, education, community, connectivity, and collaboration, the TLAI is committed to providing participation opportunities to a diverse cross section of the population who want to learn artisan tradecrafts, develop talent and critical thinking skills, develop confidence and self esteem, and grow their economic value. The TLAI allows all participants to share a common language, based on artistic creation, which helps to bridge the socio-economic divide.

As the first programs are formalized, TLAI will develop a second level of training opportunities which will include glassblowing, concrete architectural elements, decorative trade crafts and finishes, textiles, and other cultural artisan crafts which reflect the values of the surrounding communities. The TLAI will partner with the preservation/restoration community (e.g., www.architecturalartisans.com, Texas Folklife Resources), construction trade (locally and nationally), architectural artisan builders, and a multitude of educational institutions (Preservation Texas, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, School of Building Arts, National Museum of Building). In addition to the artisan tradecraft and business training programs, the center will also provide storefronts so participants can sell their products and services. There will also be a central exhibition space where participants may demonstrate and showcase their projects. We plan on creating a Texas-based Folklife/Cultural Arts festival similar to the ones promoted by the Smithsonian and the National Museum of Building.

As we participate in developing our best natural resource — people — the TLAI will also incubate micro-enterprises. Participants of the TLAI who aspire to own their own small business will have the opportunity to learn all aspects of launching and operating a business and be housed in a shared services environment. To help make these dreams become realities, the TLAI will also provide access to and collaborate with organizations that provide micro loans. Some of the organizations that have expressed interest in working with these students include IC2, the Future Media Institute, Austin Community Development Corporation, BiGAustin, St. Edward’s University Entrepreneur Program, and UT School of Information Sciences. We will also work with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity [www.microenterpriseworks.org], an organization dedicated to identifying and nurturing microbusiness enterprises in partnership with BiGAustin and AccionTexas locally. AEO has specific microbusiness programs for artisans funded by the Kellogg Foundation and has posted the iCREATE vision on the AEO website as an example of an urban artisan microbusiness enterprise vision.

iCREATE has had discussions with the Cultiva [www.cultiva.no] organization about developing a cultural/entrepreneurial exchange between Norway and Texas; an additional project is under discussion in Stavanger, Norway as part of their designation as the European Capital of Culture 2008. Another key potential partner on iCREATE’s long-range plan is IC2.

Finally, while iCREATE is actively working to grow and strengthen the local community network, we are also researching the opportunity for Manor to be designated a ‘Preserve America’ community.

This honor will identify the area as the home of a population that actively supports a school ‘which will recognize exceptional community efforts linking historic and cultural preservation with tourism, community revitalization, job creation, and public education.’.

The ‘Preserve America’ initiative is being governed under the guidance of First Lady Laura Bush and has the following goals:

1. a greater shared knowledge about the Nation’s past;
2. strengthened regional identities and local pride;
3. increased local participation in preserving the country’s irreplaceable heritage, including both cultural and natural resources; and
4. support for the economic health and well being of our communities.

We believe that the Texas Legacy Arts Incubator Project and the ongoing efforts of the E. Austin community are strong examples of the kind of opportunity that ‘Preserve America’ is seeking.

Proven Value

The values of TLAI are in line with the proven art-based facilitation model for economic development, as verified by noted economist Dr. Raymond Perryman (Perryman Arts Report).

In July 2001, Carole Keeton Strayhorn’s office highlighted The Perryman Group report describing the financial impact of the arts on the Texas economy. Some of the key points are noted below, the entire summary can be read on the State of Texas Comptroller’s site:

1. The total impact of the cultural arts to the Texas economy in 2000 was $190.2 billion; $12.8 billion of this was in the Austin-San Marcos area.
2. The arts produced 1.9 million jobs and are responsible for almost 20% of the state’s tourist spending.
3. The arts have been a major factor in revitalizing a number of declining areas. Successful revitalizations in Houston, Fort Worth and Abilene can be tied to increased arts activity, which brought new restaurants, shops and higher property taxes for the city.
4. The arts provide a catalyst for creativity, which can lead to improved academics and technological innovations.

Tying it all Together: The STELLAR Arts/Science Campus

The STELLAR Arts/Science Campus addresses many of the key elements identified in neighborhood association plans as important to the continued growth and enhancement of the neighborhood. The Creative Campus is an arts-based economic development model designed to incubate micro enterprise. It provides opportunities for micro-business growth and development, workforce training, cultural preservation, and shared community spaces.

The campus includes 3 anchors and draws from the talent identified within the community:

1. The Texas Legacy Arts Incubator Project is an architectural artisan tradecrafts training center focused on legacy arts education and apprenticeship programs taught by master artisans. Training offered includes stone masonry, blacksmithing; furniture making, master carpentry, ceramics, glassblowing, master craft tile work, concrete architectural elements, decorative trade crafts and finishes, cultural artisan crafts, and textiles. In addition to the tradecraft training programs, the center also provides storefronts so participants can sell their products and services. There is also a central exhibition space where the community gathers to observe program participants demonstrating their projects. Examples: Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild [www.manchesterguild.org; Pittsburgh, PA], School of Building Arts [www.buildingartscollege.us; Charleston, SC], The Crucible [www.thecrucible.org; Berkeley, CA]. The iCREATE/Texas Legacy Arts Incubator Project was recently posted to the Association for Enterprise Opportunity website as an example of Entrepreneurial Development in the Artisan sector [AEO Artisan Development Program].
2. The Business Arts and Technology Center teaches the “art of business” to members of the community and food entrepreneurship & tradecraft program participants who want to own their own businesses. Courses that teach all aspects of business start up and operation will be offered. This aspect will benefit from curriculum development by BiG Austin, Austin CDC, St. Edward’s University, and many other entrepreneurial business enterprise experts. In addition to traditional business skills, participants will also learn how to problem solve, work with a team and identify resources. This knowledge center will also be open to non- program participants in the form of meeting space and classes. Additional participants who have declared interest in participating include: FeedBack Magazine/Burn the Box, Future Media Institute, AIA-Austin, and multiple greenbuilders.
3. The Food Entrepreneurship Center is a sustainable food-manufacturing center focused on launching and incubating micro enterprise. Ideally, we would provide the space to grow existing programs such as the ACC/Del Valle culinary program. Examples: Denver Food Entrepreneurship Center, Mama’s Hot Tamales in East Los Angeles.