Lansing’s REACH Studio Art Center kicks off crowdfunding campaign through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

$48,000 fundraising goal, matching grant supports center’s expansion in REO Town

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and REACH Studio Art Center today announced the launch of a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the center’s expansion along S. Washington Ave. in REO Town. The project will quadruple the size of the non-profit that has been providing free and low-cost art programming to Lansing residents for more than 10 years. 

“REACH is a great asset to the Lansing area, and we are excited to partner with them to extend their range of services and multiply the positive impact they have on the community,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “The Public Spaces Community Places initiative, one of the first of its kind in the country, is a great opportunity for residents, businesses and others to pool resources and actively engage to transform public spaces in their communities.” 

If REACH attains its crowdfunding goal of $48,000 by October 16, MEDC will provide a $48,000 matching grant. To donate, please visit: www.patronicity.com/reach. 

“This online campaign is really huge for us. We need everyone in our Lansing area community and networks on board—even if it’s just to give $10,” said REACH Executive Director Alice Brinkman. “It is such a great opportunity to not only get behind this community-serving project, but double the impact of giving. We will have just until October 16 to reach our goal, but I am confident that if everybody who has liked REACH or loves Lansing pitches in, we can make this happen.” 

In 2013, REACH purchased properties along an entire block on S. Washington Ave between Bank and Smith streets in REO Town and began renovations in the fall. Money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will support re-purposing five run-down storefront buildings into a 17,000-square-foot community arts center, four large studio classrooms, media lab, performance hall, the city’s only youth art gallery, and a community-friendly courtyard. The courtyard will provide outdoor recreation space to more than 1000 children who participate in REACH art programs. It will also be used for summer outdoor movies, sculpture exhibits, outdoor art classes, and neighborhood gatherings. 

For more details about the expansion, please go to: www.reachstudioart.org/facility. 

REACH is hosting its “Raise REACH’s Roof” launch party this evening, September 11, from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Avenue Café on 2021 E. Michigan Ave. 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of transformational projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

REACH Studio Art Center is a nonprofit neighborhood space for arts and civic engagement in REO Town. REACH programs are dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth, urban revitalization, and strengthening community. REACH connects artists with local residents, brings diverse individuals and groups together, and creates an atmosphere of shared pride and creative problem solving. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.