The Kenny Dorham Center – Project Overview
OVERVIEW
The Dorham Center, given the proposed East 11th Street location, lies within the East Austin Urban Renewal District, is compatible with land-use zoning requirements, and fits the City’s definition for mixed-use development.
The aspect that sets this development apart from any other in Austin is that all of the available spaces will be dedicated to arts, culture, and the creative industries. Our proposal calls for a dedicated carve-out earmarked for artist/creatives’ residences, consistent with the City's goal of increasing creative synergy.
HISTORY
Our sister organization - local non-profit DiverseArts Culture Works - has operated Kenny Dorham’s Backyard Performance Park and Mural Gallery on this property since 2004. Celebrating nearly 20 years of regular programming, KD's Backyard is the longest running African American-run live music venue in Central East Austin still in existence. This commercial, mixed-use development lies east of Interstate 35 on City-owned property, and is publicly accessible.
The Dorham Center concept was the blueprint for the September 2021 Council Resolution regarding the African American Cultural Heritage District and Creative Spaces Cultural Trust. Our group authored the resolution.
Briefly stated, the Dorham Center addresses each point of the Joint Recommendations for Cultural Spaces Bond Package submitted by the Art and Music Commissions, and was adopted at Council.
Click here to read the Statesman's overview of this project and its backstory, rooted deeply in Austin's East Side history.
FEATURES
The Dorham Center features:
The Dorham Center, given the proposed East 11th Street location, lies within the East Austin Urban Renewal District, is compatible with land-use zoning requirements, and fits the City’s definition for mixed-use development.
The aspect that sets this development apart from any other in Austin is that all of the available spaces will be dedicated to arts, culture, and the creative industries. Our proposal calls for a dedicated carve-out earmarked for artist/creatives’ residences, consistent with the City's goal of increasing creative synergy.
HISTORY
Our sister organization - local non-profit DiverseArts Culture Works - has operated Kenny Dorham’s Backyard Performance Park and Mural Gallery on this property since 2004. Celebrating nearly 20 years of regular programming, KD's Backyard is the longest running African American-run live music venue in Central East Austin still in existence. This commercial, mixed-use development lies east of Interstate 35 on City-owned property, and is publicly accessible.
The Dorham Center concept was the blueprint for the September 2021 Council Resolution regarding the African American Cultural Heritage District and Creative Spaces Cultural Trust. Our group authored the resolution.
Briefly stated, the Dorham Center addresses each point of the Joint Recommendations for Cultural Spaces Bond Package submitted by the Art and Music Commissions, and was adopted at Council.
Click here to read the Statesman's overview of this project and its backstory, rooted deeply in Austin's East Side history.
FEATURES
The Dorham Center features:
- Professional performance spaces
- Rehearsal and teaching spaces
- Artist’s studios/gallery spaces
- Professional recording studio
- Workspace for creative professionals
- Admin/work space for nonprofit cultural arts organizations
- Shared/community workspace
- Public art exhibition space
- Creative industries’ commercial retail and services spaces
- Artists’ housing