Local Project is an arts space located in L.I.C, dedicated to offering year-round exhibitions, arts mentoring, classes, co-working space, art residencies and bilingual programming, while building bridges with other institutions. The group was founded in 2003, and they aim to unite artists, while simultaneously creating emotion-evoking art. 

L.I.C and Astoria, as we all know, are quickly becoming hubs for artists. We’re seeing a rise in creative residents and events, and Local Project is another great addition. Unfortunately, as we’ve all been noticing as well, the rent prices in New York City are anything but unforgiving. For the second time, Local Project is being pushed out of their space, and they’re struggling to stay afloat. The space that they occupy is an artistic community space – somewhere artists can come to imagine, congrgate and create. The space, if kept, will be used for the following:

• Mentorship for new curators and artists in creating exhibitions. More than 2000 people will contribute their voice to the LP experience.
• Continued partnerships and student internships with the Information Technology High School in Long Island City and MoMA to ensure all ages have access to the arts.
• Events: Monthly exhibitions; Music series; Video screenings; Dinner talks; Spoken word and poetry nights and Performance series.
• A co-working space that not only offers locals a place to work, but also serves as an “artistic incubator” of sorts for people to expand their network and make connections with other members of the citywide creative community.
• Creative affordable workshops in areas of technology, professional development and the arts, DJ, web development, LED and photography.

None of these can happen though, if Local Project doesn’t reach their rent quota – which has been hiked a whopping 50%. To meet that cost, the creative minds at Local Project put together the Buy-a-Brick fundraiser. For just $25, you can get your name engraved on a brick, which will then be placed on the supporters wall. There’s more prizes, which include :

• A limited edition “I Bought a Brick” vintage tee.
• A copy of the Crossroads CD recorded live at LP’s 2014 Poetry & Music Festival. Your name will be listed on the CD as as an LP supporter.
• One month of co-working space at our creative office.
• You can have or curate your own show in the new Local Project Space. Your show will last 2 weeks and will include an awesome opening.
• One-of-a kind handmade lamp by local artist Cristian Daniel Torres and original artwork by Annalisa Iadicicco.

We think that there can never be enough art, and that having a space for creative minds to unleash their potential is a great idea. For such an artistic community, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find an outlet to simply exist in. We’ll absolutely be buying a brick – and it seems pretty neat to have our name on a wall with so many others that appreciate and support the arts.