Artisan Village

Top: Birds-eye view of the Madison Boxcar Alley Artisan Village Plan A Right: Artisan Village Site

This bird’s-eye view shows one option for the proposed artist cottages to accommodate the compact dimensions of the property adjacent to Boxcar Alley. The proposed arrangement of these cottages maximizes individual privacy while encouraging a more communal atmosphere at a shared common green.

Adjacent to the Boxcar Alley development, Madison leaders proposed an innovative housing concept to foster Madison’s growing reputation as an artistic hub. Local leaders envision an open pasture shaded by mature hardwoods as the site for a compact colony of artist cottages.

This innovative concept could help grow Madison’s appeal to artists from throughout the Southeast. Designs for the cottages were inspired by the 16’ x 16’ single-pen residences found in Madison’s historic residential neighborhoods. Local leaders see the Artisan Village as an opportunity to grow programming, including a downtown artist-in-residence. As part of this program, prospective artists could be granted housing in exchange for contributing to a downtown art show and supporting the programming of Madison’s Public Arts Commission and the Madison Artists Guild. Cottages could be sponsored by local patrons or businesses wishing to grow Madison’s appeal as an arts destination.