CULTIVATING THE ARTS -2

CITIES BENEFIT FROM USING
THE ARTS AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL

"The WAV is an economic engine and a cultural force," said Ventura City Manager Rick Cole. "It brings scores of artists into permanent residence in our downtown, provides an accessible new performance space, provides a home to individuals and families climbing out of homelessness and represents an exciting mix of uses and incomes. On top of all that, the LEED certification validates the vision that brought this unique community-within-a-community into being."
"At a time when every other mixed use and housing development stalled, the WAV opened to rave reviews," Cole added "It has kept the momentum going by bringing exciting new life to our historic downtown."

The sustainable structure -- developed by the Minneapolis-based nonprofit PLACE -- Projects Linking Art, Community & Environment -- has 6,100 square feet of ground floor space for arts-friendly businesses such as coffee houses, galleries and sidewalk cafes.

WAV provides affordable living and working space for over one hundred artists of every kind including painters, sculptors, dancers, poets, musicians and filmmakers. The WAV Theater Gallery offers performances, art openings and public gatherings.