The Project:
The Rye Arts Center has embarked on an exciting project to enhance our facilities. The project currently includes a new building at 25 Milton, 2 acres of green space, and improvements to our current, neighboring space at 51 Milton.
We are currently in the early stages of zoning and are grateful for all of the input received as it is helping make the project a true community effort.
If you have comments or suggestions, we would love to hear from you! Please send them to newrac@ryeartscenter.org.
Overview:
What happened to create this opportunity?
In late 2020, when 25 Milton went on the market, our collective wheels began to spin. This “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity represented a way to meet the changing needs of our community with additional valuable space, where students of all ages could experience the arts in an outdoor environment. Nature can play an important part in the art-making process, particularly in therapeutic arts, which we hope to bring to our community thanks to this additional space.
The property was eventually bought by a longtime RAC supporter, and, in a tremendous show of support, gifted to The Rye Arts Center so that it could realize its dream for the community.
What's happening to our current space at 51 Milton?
The building at 51 Milton is an essential part of our history and will continue to play a significant role in our future. The campaign will allow for enhancements to the building's infrastructure, an enhancement to our studios, an expansion of our children’s programming, a larger ceramics studio, and the welcome return of RyeTV, a valuable resource for the Rye community where students of all ages will have access to the tools necessary to create film, music, and audio/video podcasting.
The Opportunity:
How does Rye benefit from an expanded Arts Center?
For over 60 years, The Rye Arts Center has been at the forefront of arts and culture in Rye. This new Center will provide more for the community than we can give now: a first-class gathering space centered around the arts, where visitors of all ages and backgrounds can come together to meet, create, and empower themselves through the arts.
What new programming will you offer?
In addition to expanding our popular visual arts programming and private music lessons, The Rye Arts Center is committed to offering classes and workshops in areas and disciplines it has been unable to provide due to space constraints. Programs such as metalworking, jewelry design, glass fusing, and so much more will join newer initiatives such as filmmaking, music production, VR design, digital media production, and creative movement/dance, to name a few.
The new space will also include a dedicated space for teens centered around arts programming, community engagement, and creative volunteer opportunities.
Will you put on even stronger and more impactful shows/ art exhibits/ etc, once this is completed?
Our new spaces will allow for higher-level exhibits and performances across the board, drawing artists and performers to Rye. Configurable spaces with enhanced lighting and amenities will transform our ability to offer cultural programming to the community, bringing a first-class experience to all.
The Process:
Where is RAC in the process?
The Rye Arts Center is refining its vision for this property and actively engaging with community members to ensure that it brings the same level of value and integrity to Rye that the RAC has brought to the area since 1960.
Will more parking be made available? What is being done to ensure that traffic flow on Milton Road is addressed?
We are working closely with the city of Rye and an engineering firm on a parking and traffic plan, along with drop-off/pickup zones, that will make traffic flow smooth and efficient. The proposed parking improvements will of course be subject to review, and approval by the City of Rye Planning Commission.
The Design:
What are the building design plans?
We have discussed preliminary designs but will revisit them once we receive feedback from the City of Rye Planning Commission. We are also committed to listening to the community's feedback on the design, to ensure the best fit possible for the community.
What will happen to the house on the 25 Milton property?
Much time and effort was spent exploring ways to keep the existing structure in place. After careful evaluation, it was determined that the house was not in suitable condition.
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