JACKSON, Wyo. — After Jackson topped the list of the 100 most vibrant arts communities in the U.S., Center for the Arts is reaffirming its dedication to fostering local creativity.
The Center announced this month that it has issued a freeze on sublease rental rates for the next three years for its 18 resident arts nonprofits, which include organizations specializing in theater, music, dance, visual arts and more.
“The core of The Center was always about creating an affordable, long-term home for the arts in Jackson,” Executive Director Marty Camino said in a statement. “This year, we’re doubling down on that commitment by extending a freeze on rental rates for our Resident Partners. It’s exciting to see national data that supports the idea that this type of investment not only works — it excels.”
In its announcement, the organization noted that a catalyst grant from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole allows the subsidization of the rental rates. The Center shared in a social media post that it subsidizes an estimated 60% of the nonprofits’ rent through fundraising. The post states that the average rental rate at Center for the Arts is $17 per square foot, while the average rental rate in Jackson’s commercial market is $47 per square foot.
“Stability makes a meaningful difference for organizations doing year-round work in the arts,” Teton Music School’s Executive Director Amanda Flosbach said in a press release. “For us, that means we can focus on providing lifelong learning in music education, rather than being distracted by short-term uncertainty.”
In its announcement of the rent freeze, the Center added that it will “work to formalize a long-term financial model for supporting the arts community in Jackson in perpetuity” during the rent freeze.
