An exciting initiative is under way along Del Paso Boulevard in North Sacramento to develop an arts district that is designed to support artists living, working, and exhibiting their work as the catalyst of a redevelopment effort based on creative reuse and arts related businesses. The Uptown District encompasses a 49 block area primarily on Del Paso Boulevard and Arden Way and includes artist live/work studios, galleries, an imported furniture store, and other facilities for performing and visual arts. This theme focused redevelopment and reuse of space has been very successful, with many locations featured in the California Cultural Assembly's ARTs Map.
The North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce began in 1992 to explore ways to support the artists living and working in the community and to use arts-based development projects as a catalyst for commercial revitalization along Del Paso Boulevard, the central commercial corridor. The Chamber has brought together members of the local arts community, business and property owners, and elected and government officials as partners in the vision of the District. That effort has flourished with the designation of the "district" as a Redevelopment Area, a State Enterprise Zone, and the establishment of zoning tools like a Special Planning District, Design Review, and a Commercial Facade Grant Program.
The Uptown District is still "a work in progress," but has become a model in Sacramento for small commercial district revitalization. The public-private partnerships resulting from the formation of the redevelopment area, and the Chamber's enfusion of energy have brought over $5 million in redevelopment financing to Del Paso Boulevard (mainstreet uptown).
Building on Arts Related development, that financing made the following additions to Uptown a reality: Sacramento Musician's Hall (includes a spring board floor for Ballet and acoustical room for symphony and musician practice), The Building on the Boulevard (including Actor's Workshop Theatre), LIMN Furniture Gallery, SurrealEstates Ink (to provide 11 detached Artist Live/Work units designed for individual ownership), 1001 Del Paso Works (providing 13 artist studios - including Sol Ceramica), and Artisan Square (3 artist studios, and 6 low income lofts). The success of these projects and Phantom Galleries has attracted similar private investment, including: Doiron Gallery, Woodson Photography Studio, Austin's Uptown Studio, Beyond the Proscenium Productions (Theatre Company), MatrixARTS, Horse Cow Gallery and the Center for Contemporary Art.
In 2001, the City and County of Sacramento made a significant investment in relocating the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) from Downtown to the Uptown District, in part, due to the "arts energy" and to be at the center of where things were "happening" artistically in Sacramento.
The Chamber's premier program Phantom Galleries (Second Saturday/Second Shift) began on Del Paso Boulevard in 1993 and continues today. Phantom Galleries are temporary art exhibits in vacant storefronts. This program provides the opportunity for local artists to exhibit their work while fostering economic development by focusing attention on available retail space. A wide variety of individual and organizations exhibit in the galleries including performing, visual, and digital artists. In partnership with local schools, elementary and high school students exhibits are included throughout the year, providing encouragement for these young artists by providing them an opportunity to display their work.
The Uptown District and Chamber and it's members continue to work hard to provide opportunities for area artists while fostering economic development and improving our communities quality of life. The Chamber is grateful to the arts community and the City of Sacramento for their support and look forward to the continued development of our programs, infrastructure and overall community.
Links
Uptown Arts District
SurrealEstates
BeyondTheProscenium
Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission
MatrixArts
