Support – Studio at 550

$2,640.00 raised of $5,000

Dear arts supporter,

Over the past 4 years we have grown to be a unique valuable resource for artists of all types in the greater Boston area. From providing low-cost space to artists of various types (from movement and dance, to technology-arts, to music and theatre and healing arts). Our objective is to nurture creativity by providing a quiet, isolated space to explore and create for artists of all types as well as those who cross borders of disciplines.

Now more than ever is the time to support your local arts spaces (especially those who are ‘dance possible’). With rising rents and lack of funding for the arts, Studio at 550 has found itself in a rare opportunity to continue to exist (for now). We currently hold over 38 hours of classes per week, with more on the way in January 2020. Our programming has included professional development workshops such as the SKILLSETS Series, Teranga Children’s Festival, run our workshops, and we have fully launched our fiscal sponsorship program.

In addition, this past year we launched our Creative Residency program, funded by a grant from the Cambridge Arts Council’s LCC grant. It gave 3 artist groups the opportunity to use the space as they needed in their artistic practice. Each artist was allotted $980 worth of space credit to put towards classes, rehearsals, and/or performance. Our first Creative Residency artist, Dan Davis chose to create an intensive time of rehearsals which culminated in a performance and workshop. The Davis Sisters used their time at the studio with rehearsal and also an informal showing. Currently, our third resident artist Alli Ross has been working intensely on her work for the past month and a half.

We continue to offer below market rate space rental ranging from $17/hr. for rehearsal rental to $250 for performance rental in a safe, quiet, and isolated space in the heart of Central Square. With art spaces dropping like flies in the area, we are grateful to be able to exist. In the face of rising rents, gentrification, and no foundational or operational support WE STILL ARE HERE! But in order to continue our legacy and provide space, services, and programs we need your help to build a sustainable future.

NEW Initiative! ProLevelClass

This is for us. This is to build upon what we already have and grow to new levels together.

Starting in January Studio@550 is proud to announce our new #ProLevelClass initiative. This is for us. This is to build upon what we already have and grow to new levels together. Here are some details and how you can be involved:

Studio@550 will start offering professional level classes in two time frames: Sundays from 1-3, and during the week (M-F) from 10-11:30 (multiple days). These classes will not be rentals by the teachers, but sponsored by your contributions today. M-F morning class teachers will also have the option to hold their company rehearsal right after class. These rehearsals will also be subsidized by your contributions. Each class/rehearsal combination instance needs $86.50 of subsidy. If the classes get fully subsidized, the teachers/company directors will have the option to use the revenue from teaching class to pay their dancers for rehearsal, or put the money towards their next production. Each class/rehearsal needs $2335.50 subsidy for classes from January to June 2020. Our goal is to sponsor 2 class/rehearsal sessions.

Also as part of the #ProLevelClass initiative we are compiling a list of ALL professional level contemporary classes in the greater Boston area. We will setup a page on our website to support the visibility of ALL classes who fit the following criteria:
Level of class offered must be intermediate/advanced level and indicated as such in publicity of that class.
Class is offered at a location that is within the I-95 belt/greater Boston.
If you know of a class that you would like included, please email callie@studioat550.org for consideration. #ProLevelCLass page will be live soon, so keep checking back!

Please consider supporting Studio@550 and its future. Studio@550 is a non-profit organization and your donation will be tax-deductible.

Thank you!

Callie Chapman
Director
Studio@550

Thank you to our COVID-19 Emergency Fund donors:

Gracie Baruzzi

Emily Bloomenthal

Amy Caine

Jason Cameron

Gilbert Chaitin

Chad Cournoyer

Rachel Erbach

Madison Florence

Deon Fullard

Sara June

Monica Lender

Jimmy Lu

Matthew McArthur

Chris Orth

David Parker

Stephen Petrilli

Josh Pollak

Susan Putnins

Sumati Ram-Mohan

Talia Raney

Cara and Felix Rodriguez

Melissa St Pierre

Leah Tynan

Dayenne Walters

Jane Wang

Tara Weaver

Rachel Wetschensky

Thank you to our 2019-2020 donors:

Karen Chapman/Althea Shea
Stephen Petrilli
Amy Munankarmi
Karen Klein
Barry Meklir
Sylvia Stagg-Giuliano
David Parker
Jane Hsiaoching Wang
Erin Gottwald
Kristine Yu
Ben Cuba
Natalie Johnson
Anonymous
Lee Cuba
Karen Chapman

Thank you to our 2018-2019 donors:

Ean Orlando Alleyne
Anonymous
Meredith Becker
Emily Bloomenthal
Debra Bluth
Alexandra Botti
Joe Burgio
John Chapman
Danielle Davidson
Peter DiMuro
Judson Evans
Lynn Frederiksen
Janelle Gilchrist
Joan Green
Adrienne Hawkins
Melanie Hedlund
Jessie Jeanne
Wendy Jehlen
Sara June
Karen Klein
Rozann Kraus
Jessica Liggero
Eliza Mallouk
Daniel McCusker
Marissa Molinar
Charlie Nelson
Robert Miller
Chris Orth
Stephen Petrilli
Samuel Potrykus
David Parker
Jonathan Peck
Heather Poduska
Matt Samolis
Althea Shea
Helen Singh-Miller
James Spriggs
Sylvia Stagg Giuliano
Samantha Wilson

Thank you to our 2017-2018 donors:

Karen Chapman
Karen Klein
Catherine Siller

Thank you to our 2016-2017 donors:

James Spriggs
Laura Cashel
Melanie Hudland
Karen Klien
Jimena Bermejo
Chris Orth
David Orr
Tova Teperow / Alive Dance Collective
Joe Burgio
Chavi Bansal
Brenna Banister
Matt Samolis
Jared Williams / Electric Fish
Sara June
Rozann Kraus
Erin Gottwald
Dam Van Huynh
Kristen Young
Stephen Petrilli
Jordan Jamil Ahmed
Helen Miller
Brian Crabtree
Kristy Kuhn
Kim Holman
Megan Chapman
Rebekah Gerstein
Molly Hess
Verna Gallant
Andrzej Kdobirz
Kimberleigh Allen Holman
Marissa Molinar
Danielle Davidson
Marianne Harkless
Jessie Jeanne
Roger Hatt
Daniel McCusker
Josh Vekhter

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Bricolage Law, founded by former dancer Eve Brown and former drum major Paul Nagy, exists to provide easier access to legal resources, representation, and justice for artists, musicians, and small, independent businesses. Eve, Paul, and the Bricolage team genuinely love what they do, and it shows in their work. If you need help, don’t despair. Empower yourself with Bricolage Law.