YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Three weeks ago, it was announced that Youngstown’s Ward Bakery building had been sold and all the artists renting space would have to leave. The task of finding a new space fell on an organization called Loop Youngstown and its plans for an arts and culture center.
The group had been around over a year, but now — with no space for artists to work — the need has become urgent.
Karen Schubert, director of Loop Youngstown, is tasked with finding a building from which artists can work. About two dozen artists are losing their spaces at the Ward Bakery building.
“We’re in the process of raising money. We want to make sure that we can hit the ground running when the keys drop right,” Schubert said.
So far, Loop Youngstown has raised $35,000. To get started, Schubert estimates it will take $250,000 to $500,0000.
“I feel optimistic we can raise that,” Schubert said.
The groups is looking at former industrial spaces or schools.
“We need a large space where artists can work symbiotically,” Schubert said. “A school would be phenomenal. It’s already cut up in studio-sized parcels. You have a big, open space that would be a great performance space.”
It’s been done in other cities. The building that once housed the Akron Beacon Journal is being used as an artistic center, as well as an old high school in Niagara Falls, New York.
“We’re all sending in our feedback. [Schubert is] going through it systematically and really trying to put together a plan that fits everyone’s needs,” said artist Liz Hicks.
Schubert says the group is looking at a space that will allow for a metal shop, a wood shop, a ceramics studio and more.
All artists in the Ward Bakery Building must leave next month. So how close is Loop Youngstown to finding a building?
“I don’t think very close,” said Melissa Miller, who has been brought on to help raise money.
“Once we have a building identified and are on our way to that, then I think the funding … will roll in from there,” Miller said.
Schubert’s called it unproductive to have dates for when a building will be bought and occupied but is confident it will get done. She’s looking to raise money through memberships and grants.
“There are about 30 of us, and we all collectively bring a wealth of experience,” Schubert said.
No timeline was given on when a building might be purchased and occupied.
