LOOP Youngstown purchases Mahoning Avenue building to house arts center
LOOP Youngstown, a local non-profit, announced a major milestone in its ongoing effort to expand creative space and opportunities in the area with the purchase of a building on Mahoning Avenue.
The reimagined building at 805 Mahoning Ave. in Youngstown will become a vibrant arts hub offering up to 36 artist studios and arts organization offices as well as galleries, classrooms and gathering spaces.
Previously home to Comfort Keepers, the space will support a range of artistic practices and host open studios and monthly public events.
At a time when artists have lost vital spaces across the city, the project represents a powerful investment in Youngstown’s creative future, according to LOOP Youngstown.
“After more than two years visiting sites, building our team and fleshing out the project, we are chuffed that, thanks to community support, we can make a jump for this great space in such a terrific location,” Karen Schubert, chair of LOOP Youngstown, said.
This new home for the arts will allow artists to strengthen their practices, share resources, build networks and diversify their income, while emerging artist fellowships will provide support at critical moments in artists’ careers.
LOOP Youngstown hopes these efforts will help ensure that artists and creative young adults can continue to see themselves—and their futures—in Youngstown.
LOOP is now renting spaces for the arts center; interested artists and arts organizations are invited to complete an online survey.
