2002 THE PRESENT:
With the advent of a new look on the street and a new theatre inside,
the VSA arts of New Mexico building on North Fourth officially becomes the North Fourth Art Center.
VSA arts of New Mexico have provided creative opportunities for
people with disabilities for over 20 years. The organization has grown from a staff of one
to a current staff of 25; from serving a few people to serving thousands; from occupying
one room to owning a building!
We are moving ahead! VSA arts of New Mexico purchased the building at
4909 Fourth NW two years ago—a solid and spacious building within which the
organization can truly meet its goals, and provide creative opportunities for individuals
with disabilities. Now at North Fourth, people from throughout the community who were
previously limited in their creative pursuits by lack of teachers, materials and
accessible accommodations, have an artistic home.
The best news is that through the previous efforts of VSA arts of New
Mexico founder Beth Rudolph, the Board of Directors, and an incredible amount of
community support, we are able to re-envision the VSA arts of New Mexico building and
programs as the North Fourth Art Center.
SCULPTURE:
VSA received notice of funding from the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund (UETF)-City of Albuquerque for a tile sculpture to be
sited at the front of the property. Artist Cassandra
Reid was selected to create the artwork. She will work with a team of VSA apprentice
artists through the fall and winter-first on design, then on tile-making. The work will be
installed in 2003.
LANDSCAPING:
The New Mexico Chapter of the American Society of Landscape
Architects (ASLA) launched a special project donating their time to design landscaping for
the front of the VSA property. ASLA members Bill
Perkins, Maura Lewiecki, and Rick Borkovetz worked with board and staff members to
offer several innovative approaches to making the North Fourth Art Center an outstanding
addition to Fourth Street revitalization.
VSA arts also became one of the grateful recipients of the State of New Mexico Capital Outlay Funds sponsored
by Senator Dede Feldman for Fourth Street
improvements between Griegos and Douglas MacArthur. The funding will enable a design
developed for VSA by ASLA to be implemented in conjunction with the sculpture of Cassandra
Reid for a truly enchanting New Mexican entrance to the North Fourth Art Center.
PERFORMING ARTS:
Finally, HUD Community
Development Block Grant funds will renovate a portion of the VSA arts building into a 100 seat black-box theatre. Now the performing
arts can be offered in equal measure with the visual arts to our apprentice artists and
the community. The North Fourth Art Center has become a reality!