The Shore Institute of The Shore Institute of Contemporary ArtsContemporary Arts

PADM 7240PADM 7240

Michael F. MuscilloMichael F. Muscillo

July 14, 2005July 14, 2005

Scope of the ProblemScope of the Problem

• MISSION STATEMENT• The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts (SICA) is a non-profit

corporation whose purpose is to establish a uniquely stimulating and creative environment in which to experience the contemporary arts. The primary goal of the center is to increase the general public's accessibility, awareness and appreciation of the contemporary arts in central New Jersey. By establishing close relationships with major art organizations and educational institutions, we will seek to complement and augment those programs currently available through the establishment of classes, lectures, exhibitions and performances. (http://www.sica.org/about.html)

Scope of the ProblemScope of the Problem

• There are no facilities within the City of Long Branch to expose its residents to the Arts

• Proposed location for the Institute is in an area which the City of Long Branch would like to redevelop.– In regards to the location, the City would like

to create an Arts District 1 (Woolley 2005)

1 Conversation with Howard H. Woolley Jr., Business Administrator, City of Long Branch, June 2005

Scope of the ProblemScope of the Problem

• Nature of “The Arts”– “Unlike most traditional businesses, the arts tend to

flourish when there is more competition. More visitors tend to be attracted to areas where there is a greater volume or intensity of artistic activities (Development Proposal, p.3, June 2001)

• The problem is not just lack of access to the arts, but also the fact that this institution will help spur development to this sector of the City of Long Branch

Community Based Organizations & Community Based Organizations & Local Government AgenciesLocal Government Agencies

• Collaboration towards the success of SICA– Community Development Arts Council

• Oversight for acquisition of building to house SICA

– City of Long Branch• Helping to attract interest to the Broadway Corridor to establish an

Arts District.

– Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)• Source of low-interest loan funding• www.lisc.org

– New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)• Source of low-interest loan funding for acquisition and

improvements to facility (Development Proposal June 2001)

• http://www.njeda.com/

Community Based Organizations Community Based Organizations and Local Government Agenciesand Local Government Agencies

• Facility Acquisition– The building was built sometime in the early 1900s. In the early 1920s,

the Richelieu Automobile Company used this building as one of its manufacturing sites.

– 1956, the Branch Garment Company, manufacturers of children’s clothing, came into being and shared this location with M. H. Levine Company and Schneider’s Radio. By 1959, the Branch Garment Company was now called the Long Branch Manufacturing Company.

– By 1965, they were the sole remaining business in this building. They were still in business in 1970, the last year the Long Branch City Directory was published.

– The last business concern to be located here in the early 1990s was the Lincoln Can Manufacturing Company. They made lithographed cans for olive oil and peanut oil. (http://www.sica.org/history.html)

Community Based Organizations Community Based Organizations and Local Government Agenciesand Local Government Agencies

• The Lincoln Can Company as it was in 2001, the future home of SICA:

http://www.sica.org/facility.html

Community Based Organizations Community Based Organizations and Local Government Agenciesand Local Government Agencies

• The Shore Institute of Contemporary Arts building, today:

http://www.sica.org/facility.html

Cooperation and ConflictCooperation and Conflict

• Length of time between meeting funding sources and actual securing of funds

• Building issues to overcome between SICA and the City of Long Branch Building Department (Woolley 2005)

• Resolution of funding issues between NJEDA and SICA (Muscillo 2005)

Cooperation and ConflictCooperation and Conflict

• Possible Solutions– Regularly scheduled meetings between SICA

and City’s Building and Code Departments– Increasing of management oversight of

funding sources (NJEDA) to ensure contract compliance

– Hiring professional management and financial staff for direct oversight of funds

Evaluation of SuccessEvaluation of Success

• SICA is now open and renting studio space to area artists

• SICA hosts a number of exhibitions throughout the year which showcases various artists (www.sica.org/exhibitions.html)

• SICA offers a variety of courses which instructs students in different aspects of the contemporary arts (www.sica.org/courses.html)

Evaluation of SuccessEvaluation of Success

– Continued…

• SICA has various professionals in the field speak on a regular basis (www.sica.org/speakers.html)

• SICA also has cutting edge musical performances scheduled to appear, as well as spoken word and video art performances (www.sica.org/art_x.html)

Evaluation of SuccessEvaluation of Success

• At this time there are no suggestions for reform:– SICA has only been open for a couple of

years– They are just starting to get their legs– They are attracting a large number of people

to the Broadway Corridor on a regular basis– They are serving as an anchor for the City of

Long Branch Arts District

Evaluation of SuccessEvaluation of Success

• Cooperation between SICA and the City of Long Branch is very strong now

• SICA is reaching out to other businesses and organizations in the community

• City officials are in regular contact with SICA officials to offer help and guidance

• SICA is reaching out to local institutions, including Brookdale Community College and Monmouth University

ReferencesReferences

• www.sica.org/about• Conversation with Howard H. Woolley Jr., Business Administrator,

City of Long Branch, June 2005 (various other times)• Development Proposal for 20 Third Avenue, Long Branch, NJ.

Community Arts Development Corporation and The Shore Institute of Contemporary Arts, June 2001

• www.lisc.org• www.njeda.com• Letter to NJEDA on behalf of SICA, Michael F. Muscillo, City of Long

Branch, January 5, 2005

Key ContactsKey Contacts

• Douglas Ferrari, Executive Director, Shore Institute of Contemporary Arts– dferrari@sica.org – 732-263-1121

• Howard H. Woolley Jr., Business Administrator, City of Long Branch– hwoolley@ci.long-branch.nj.us– 732-571-5645