The Thousand Islands Arts Center ~ Home of the Handweaving Museum (TIAC) is excited to announce its groundbreaking for its new museum and arts center this month!
About two years ago, TIAC engaged a professional strategic planner to facilitate its next five-year plan. One of the four key initiatives that resulted in that exercise was to design and build a new facility on the Clayton Campus, which stretches from John Street on the east, to James Street on the west, in the Village of Clayton, and includes three buildings.
Shortly thereafter, TIAC submitted an application to the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the design and construction of a new arts center and museum. And, a few months later, was awarded a $2 million NYSCA grant. Simultaneously, TIAC secured a matching donation from an anonymous supporter that brought it close to the then-anticipated $5.1 million project.
Many know that we have outgrown our special, but too small and aging, building at 314 John Street, in Clayton. While we all share a great affection for the 1890s house and “Home of the Handweaving Museum,” it no longer supports our mission, collections, and ever-expanding programming as it is utilized today. Several possibilities are being considered for the repurposing of this building, including an artist-in-residence program, and expanded Finders Keepers outlet, which has grown to be a popular local attraction over the last five years.
The new museum is being built at 321 James Street, the former home of Finders Keepers, which will be razed this month. The new 12,000+ square foot structure will be three-stories (plus basement) and include multiple galleries, one of which will have a permanent rotating textile exhibition displayed; three classrooms, one exclusively for our children’s programming; a gift shop, library, weaving studio, archives, administrative space, and an elevator!
The new Center will create a vibrant cultural hub that not only showcases our world-class handweaving collection, but also enables us to respond to the growing community demand for accessible arts programming. For much of TIAC’s 50+ year lifespan, regrettably, the Collection has had limited accessible storage, or ample space for research, which our weaving community desires and expects.
A volunteer steering committee composed of dedicated trustees and supporters was formed last June and continues to meet weekly as it carefully plans and reviews all aspects of the project, keeping functionality, sustainability, maintenance, and aesthetics top-of-mind. TIAC has engaged Taylored Architecture, PLLC, Clayton, NY, for architectural design services; Black Horse Construction Group of Watertown, a woman and veteran owned enterprise, for building; and a professional museum designer out of Boston, for its galleries and retail space.
We expect to have the structure enclosed this winter, hopefully before the harsh elements descend upon the River! Anticipated opening is late fall 2025/early winter 2026.
In addition to the NYSCA grant and already secured private match, we are conducting a formal Campus Capital Campaign as more funds will need to be secured. The project will be supported by a combination of government, foundation, and private funding. For more detail on the Campaign and Project, please visit our website at https://tiartscenter.org/new-arts-center/.
We hope you’ll share in our enthusiasm for our new multi-purpose arts and cultural facility, which will operate as a regional venue for artisans to showcase their work, collaborate, and foster civic engagement for the next 50 years. This very exciting project promises to be transformational, not just for TIAC and the artist community, but the entire Thousand Islands region.
By Leslie Rowland, Project Manager, New Arts Center and Museum
Leslie Rowland led the …. From 2013 to 2023 as Executive Director. Today she is the Project Manager for the New Art Center and Museum. Leslie became Executive Director in January 2014. Previously, she was the principal of LWRPR LLC, an independent consulting firm in central New York. Prior to founding LWRPR in 1999, she was District Director for U.S. Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, and also spent a decade as a lobbyist and public information manager for the airline industry. Leslie has spent most of her summers in the Thousand Islands and moved to the River, year-round, in 2012.
Posted in: Volume 19, Issue 9, September 2024, Architecture, Excursions, Places, News Item, Current
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