What is PLACE?

PLACE (Projects Linking Art, Community & Environment) is a national nonprofit organized as a 501(c)3, publicly-supported charity. Headquartered in Minneapolis, PLACE also has local offices in Ventura, California. The PLACE organization works with communities to create mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods. Its team is actively engaged in the creation of state-of-the-art, sustainable communities for artists and creative businesses. A national board of directors who are recognized leaders in their fields governs the organization. PLACE works for city governments and community leaders. Its team is actively engaged in the creation of state-of-the-art, sustainable communities for artists and creative businesses.

What is the PLACE mission?

The mission of PLACE is to empower communities to participate in a development process that leads to the creation of vibrant and green new places.

Who hires PLACE?

PLACE is usually contacted by city governments, foundations and other cultural and nonprofit organizations.

What does PLACE do?

The PLACE team assists in every aspect of the project; the planning, designing, funding, building and operating, everything necessary to realize the community’s vision. PLACE involves representatives from the community in each phase of the effort, ensuring that the project is responsive to the needs of the community. Finally, PLACE takes responsibility for the long-term care of the project to ensure that it continues to meet the goals of the community. In short, PLACE helps to create healthy and vibrant new communities for artists, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, affordable housing and more, all in one, inspiring place.

What would be a good example of a PLACE project?

PLACE’s Ventura, California project known as Working Artists Ventura (WAV), is a state-of-the-art community designed for artists and creative businesses. Located in the cultural district of downtown Ventura, California, the WAV will offer affordable living and working space for over a hundred artists of every kind; painters, sculptors, dancers, poets, musicians, filmmakers and more. The artists will bring to life a theater/gallery with performances, art openings and neighborhood gatherings. Arts-friendly small businesses including coffee houses, galleries, cafes, wine bars and jazz clubs will draw foot traffic and contribute to the vitality of the community. With the community involved in every phase of development, the WAV project is being created for diverse, mixed-income families and individuals. Supportive housing services will be provided to those at the lowest end of the income scale while market-rate condominiums with ocean views serve higher-income households. The first of its kind, WAV represents the vanguard of innovative sustainable cultural facilities. The entire community will be designed and built to the highest standards of green building technology (LEED certified), including recycled building materials, water and energy conservation, and renewable power from the sun.

How is PLACE funded?

PLACE is a 501(c)3, publicly-supported charity, which means that donations made to the organization are tax deductible. In addition to private donations and grants from foundations and corporations, PLACE also receives additional funding for its projects from local state and federal governmental entities. The PLACE organization also collects fees from the development and operation of its projects, speaking engagements, and consulting efforts.

How are PLACE projects funded?

While every project is different, PLACE combines resources from every imaginable source to make the project possible. The following are resources commonly employed in the creation of these types of places.

Community Development Funds
Economic Development Funds
Affordable Housing Monies
Small Business Development Funds
Alternative Energy Resources
Job Creation Resources
Tourism Funds
Educational Funds
Sustainable Design Funds
Arts/Cultural Resources