About

The Armory Arts Village is a bold, innovative community redevelopment project that uses arts, culture, creativity and innovation as a catalyst for reinventing the community of Jackson, Michigan and the surrounding region.

The effort, spearheaded by The Enterprise Group of Jackson (a nonprofit umbrella organization responsible for economic development in Jackson County, Michigan) is located on the historic site of the original 19th century Jackson State Prison. The 19-acre site includes several historic prison buildings, a stunning 25ft. high turreted stone wall around the perimeter of the property and a vacant industrial complex to the South.

Through a combination of adaptive reuse of the historic prison buildings and the creation of compatible new construction on the site, this unique place has been transformed into Armory Arts Village, a one-of-a-kind creativity-focused mixed-use neighborhood. The activities in this neighborhood are grounded in arts, creativity and innovation and will grow of a critical mass of artist entrepreneurs, increase small business start-ups, create jobs, and attract new businesses, residents and visitors from around the state and beyond.

The Armory Arts Village is designed to serve as a catalyst for community revitalization and an engine for economic growth. Phase One of the development is Armory Artswalk Apartments (the Core Project ) which features affordable live/work space tailored to meet the needs of emerging artists, musicians, designers, craftsmen and other creatives with the passion and commitment to turn their creativity into micro-enterprises, small businesses and other entrepreneurial ventures.

ARMORY ARTS VILLAGE - PHASE ONE:
Armory Artswalk Apartments – Adaptive Reuse of three Historic Prison Buildings to provide affordable living and working space for Income-qualified Artist Entrepreneurs.

Opened January 2008-08-28Physical Components

• 62 permanently affordable apartments designed to meet the living and working needs of artists, musicians, designers, craftsmen and other creative people. Open floor plans allow residents to tailor their live/work space to meet their individual needs.

• Specialized shared workspace and equipment for resident artists including a two-story large-scale industrial art production space, a ceramics/sculpture studio and three generic classroom/work rooms

• Flexible Gallery/Exhibit Areas

• Multi-Use Performance/Special Events Space

Artist Entrepreneurship Programs:
Professional development programs and services to provide residents with the knowledge and skills to function as successful artist entrepreneurs and small business owners:

• Packaging and marketing of the collective work, arts-related activities and events, etc. initiated by the resident artists

• Opportunities for grant-funded partnerships between the resident artist community and:

– Colleges and Universities
– K-12 Educational Institutions
– Health Care System
– Social Service Agencies
– Businesses and Corporations
– Neighborhood Groups
– Artists from around the country and world

• Development and maintenance of an online marketplace of artistic products and services created and provided by the resident artists

Application Timeline, Process & Material

These residential units are kept affordable by funding that requires that residents meet income qualifications. Space is limited, so interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Please contact Director, Jane Robinson – jrobinson@enterprisegroup.org or Keystone Property Manager, Nora Utley 517 784-2220 for more information or to schedule a tour.

Armory Artswalk Apartments is professionally managed by Keystone Property Management. Equal Housing Opportunity laws apply.

For more information, contact Jane Robinson, Director
at 517-788-4455 ext. 105.

The Enterprise Group of Jackson
One Jackson Square, 11th Floor, Jackson, MI 49201
Email: jrobinson@enterprisegroup.org
www.enterprisegroup.org