The Community Artists’ Collective
In 1987, arts educators Michelle Barnes and Dr. Sarah Trotty founded the Community Artists’ Collective (The Collective) to provide and preserve evidence of African American cultural traditions, values, and aspirations as well as to insure the accessibility of arts education for children and adults throughout the greater-Houston area. The Collective is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, community-based organization that, for the past nineteen years, has been dedicated to excellence in four core areas: education, community development, entrepreneurship, and exhibition. As a partner with myriad organizations and social/cultural entities that serve the greater-Houston area, The Collective will extend its vision and outreach, constructing a major multi-use development – The Collective at Baldwin Park.
The Collective at Baldwin Park:
As The Collective continues to strengthen its relationships with other not-for-profit and for-profit entities in Houston, the Baldwin Park facility will house The Collective, feature 56 condominium units and 10,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and will positively impact related artistic, residential, educational, and business communities.
To date, The Collective has forged a non-profit/for-profit partnership with private developer, British American Properties. Together, they own at least 75% of the 1500 block sitting at the intersection of Elgin Avenue between LaBranch and Crawford streets. Substantial architectural and engineering plans have been rendered. Additionally, a general contractor has been engaged and is soliciting construction bids. The preliminary budget for the development project is estimated at $25 million.