There is a new artist housing development in the city of Newark that intends to provide the community of Clinton Hill with a new cultural art, education, residential and social center, according to an announcement from Invest Newark.
A Tuesday ribbon-cutting celebration marked the launch of the Gant-Gilbert Arts Collective at 505 Clinton St., followed by a short performance and open tours of the ground-floor units, cafe and performance center, as well as an exhibit to showcase local artwork.
The $9 million project will offer an opportunity to build a vibrant neighborhood that encourages the growth of creativity and arts. The mixed-use residence will provide 27 affordable homes, a performance space, 10 on-site work studios, and community and public space that will serve as a creative hub for artists and their families.
Invest Newark, the city of Newark’s economic development corporation; Mayor Ras J. Baraka; Newark officials; and community members were all in attendance to mark the event.
“Newark has a long and rich history as a center for the arts,” Baraka said. “This new facility provides a new generation of artists with housing, facilities in which to work and a space for the city’s artists to connect, express themselves and showcase their talents.”
“This unique project is one of many that are helping to revitalize the Clinton Hill District, bringing necessary affordable housing and providing an accessible community space to center creative entrepreneurship, artistic and cultural collaboration, and year-round community engagement through art programming,” Roy Southerland, interim CEO and president of Invest Newark, said. “The Gant-Gilbert Arts Collective will provide space and opportunity for our local artists to thrive within a community of their own.”
Named in memory of two prolific artists of the community, Rodney Gilbert, an actor, producer, and LGBTQ advocate who founded the Yendor production company for murals and performances before his death in 2018; and visual artist Jerry Gant, who died the year before, the center stands as testament to what each was passionate about — the arts.
