Agenda 10-15-19 Item 6-b - Authorization to Proceed with Phase 1 of the Proposed Eno River Mill Arts Project and Associated Lease Agreement with Hedgehog Holdings

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3 ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION ENO RIVER ARTS MILL SUMMARY The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC), in collaboration with The Gold Family and its partner, Hedgehog Holdings, seeks to activate Hillsborough's historic Eno River Mill through the arts, providing a critical need for the creative community of Orange County, as well as generating economic impact for the surrounding area. This undertaking will take place in phases, beginning with move-in-ready studio spaces, and eventually providing performing arts space, arts-retail space, and a variety of maker spaces. BACKGROUND In 2o16,the OCAC began a fact-finding mission to discover the challenges facing the creative community of Orange County. Data was gathered through listening sessions, surveys, and meetings. The top three needs according to our research were: 1. A strong Local Arts Agency. The OCAC,the Designated County Partner with the NC Arts Council, is working to strengthen its role as the primary arts agency for Orange County. By supporting the artists and organizations that provide arts experiences for the community, offering new programs/services, and working to increase arts access for all residents,the OCAC will create a healthy,thriving arts ecosystem while increasing economic impact though the arts. 2. Space.A lack of space for artists to thrive is the primary factor impacting the county's creative community.A healthy arts ecosystem offers artists the opportunity to affordably live, as well as work, learn, and create. It also offers residents the opportunity to experience the arts not only as observers, but participants. Market prices have all but priced out artists and organizations from the downtown communities of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Downtown Hillsborough supports seven galleries; however, certain types of space are still needed. • Studio Space:Affordable, long-term studio space is needed for artists to create work. Other than a few exceptions,there are no available studio spaces in the county.As a result, artists rent space in other counties or, if they have the necessary resources, work out of their home. • Community Performance& Rehearsal Space: Hillsborough lacks a performing arts space to host mid- sized acts. Local theater/performance groups also lack space to perform or rehearse, often using school auditoriums, or non-traditional locations such as coffee shops. • Class Space:The ArtsCenter in Carrboro and Chapel Hill's Community Clay Studio are the only spaces for high quality visual arts learning in the county. Space is needed for artists and organizations to conduct classes, afterschool programs, and camps.The size of the mill could also lend itself to facilities such as a foundry or large-scale ceramics studio. • Maker Space:There is currently not a community maker space in Orange County.A maker space could offerthe public the chance to experiment with everything from 3D printers and sewing machines,to kilns and metal-working equipment. 3. Access.The arts are a fundamental part of society, impacting student success rates, crime rates, and quality of life.They are used in treatment for veterans,the critically ill, and trauma survivors. Despite the wealth of human services offered in Orange County,the arts are primarily available to residents with the financial means to pay.They should be integrated into all aspects of the community, but this is only possible with increased space. Limited space means organizations are dependent on fees and tuition to protect their bottom line; additional space could allow groups the flexibility to offer free/reduced tickets, scholarships, and other programming geared towards underserved populations.