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A Photography Show at South Oxford Space in Fort Greene, Brooklyn
138 South Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY
Opens March 24 6-9 p.m.
Featuring:
Jade Doskow
Matthew Schenning
Sarah Palmer
Christopher Rodriguez
One of the critical issues facing theatres today is the need for affordable office space. Without an appropriate office, it is impossible for companies to continue to grow, to expand their artistic programming, to effectively manage their time, and in some instances, to hire a staff or find interns. In order to assist with this growing problem, on January 25, 2000, the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York (A.R.T./New York) purchased South Oxford Space.
Located in Fort Greene (near downtown Brooklyn and within the BAM Cultural District), South Oxford Space is a five story, 19,200 square foot Federal Style building designed to provide office space to small and mid-size theatre companies for below-market rate, and to subsidize utilities and storage space. The building is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible.
A.R.T./New York outfitted the building with a variety of shared facilities and amenities such as rehearsal studios, kitchen/lunch room, and mail room with copier, fax machine and postage meter. South Oxford Space is fully occupied by 22 diverse theatre companies. Most of these groups had previously operated out of the homes of key staff members, or in office space which they had long outgrown.
In addition to being a resource for the tenants, South Oxford Space also seeks to play an important part in the life of the Brooklyn community. Gallery Three on the third floor displays the work of local artists and the large 2nd floor central room (called the Great Room) has held small-scale concerts, dance and theatrical presentations. The Great Room is also used for community meetings by organizations such as Community Board #2, Fort Greene Connection, and the Fort Greene Association. With support from the Independence Community Foundation, A.R.T./New York presented the annual Summer Youth Theatre Festival for seven seasons offering productions that targeted young audiences from Fort Greene and surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods and a four free seasonal family shows are offered each year in the Great Room.
Within a shared facility such as South Oxford Space there is a collaborative atmosphere that encourages the exchange of resources among tenants. Several of the tenants use the Great Room and Studios at South Oxford Space for their programs such as workshops for actors and playwrights,theatrical presentations, concerts and readings. Most of these programs are open to the public and the community is encouraged to participate.
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