The Location
The Project
• Transform, equip and operate the second level of the newly renovated historic Loew’s Theater at 587, Main Street, New Rochelle, NY, into a new 9,053 square foot “Black Box Theater” Arts and Cultural Venue • The space is a key community component, part of the larger development by RXR of a 28-story, mixed-use building and the broader downtown redevelopment, defined in “New Rochelle Arts + Cultural District Master Plan published in Nov 16 • The new space will be conceived as a versatile platform, with no spatial restrictions hindering creative ideas regarding the placement of sound, light, video or seating and a flexible program where visual arts, theater, film, music and literature will converge • It will be operated in close cooperation with the City Council on the Arts, the Municipal Arts Commission and local institutions (“The Project”)
• The City of New Rochelle, Westchester County, NY was founded in 1688 • In 2017, it had a population of 79,946 inhabitants, the seventh largest in the state of NY, with almost 30% of Hispanic or Latino origin. Over 19,000 residents of New Rochelle are enrolled in schools. On seven separate occasions, the City’s schools have received the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award from the US DOE. New Rochelle’s Public High School is one of the most diverse high schools in the country with over 60 different countries represented • Just 30 minutes by train to midtown Manhattan, New Rochelle has competitive advantages over some of the boroughs of New York City, including its comparatively affordable housing
Key Milestones
• June 2016: New Rochelle Planning Board granted site plan approval to developer RXR to construct the 28-story, mixed-use building • December 17, 2018: City issued a competitive Request for Proposals (“RfP”) seeking qualified operators to operate and maintain The Project • January 17, 2019: three (3) responses to RfP received • March 12, 2019: City Council of New Rochelle authorizes the City Manager to execute a contract with VAEA to operate The Project • April 2019: start of fundraising campaign
Project Operator • The Venezuelan American Endowment for the Arts (“VAEA”) is a New York based Public Charity created under section 501 (c) (3) of the Tax Code, active since 1990 • It was founded and is still presided by successful business man, arts lover and philanthropist Ali Cordero Casal, with the mission to promote a richer link between Venezuelan and US cultures, through visual and performing arts education • VAEA will partner and work closely with the City, its communities and RXR
Project Budget • The Project involves a state of the art renovation including the exhibition space and the theater. Project costs have been estimated to US$ 10 million with the help of architect Hermann Ebner, e.g. the equivalent of $1,000 per s/f • Sponsors, corporations, foundations and individuals can choose the purpose of their grants & donations (general purpose or program related). A tax certificate will be issued together with the recognition as founder at the entrance of the building
Project Programs • The Artists in Residency Program will provide artists with the opportunity to develop a project over a fixed period of 90 days. The Residency Program is focused on production, experience, critical discourse, networking, and local participation. During the residency, artists can also attend workshops or seminars. It will take place in an adjacent building part of the complex, in agreement with owners XRX Realty • The Performing Art Program: the space will host musical theater, jazz, ballet, opera, foreign films and short movies. Our first projects will be the creation of the New Rochelle Philharmonic as well as a worldwide homage to El Sistema, the music educational program • The Visual Art Program: the core idea of this program is to offer a sustained increase in Visual
Arts offering. VAEA Foundation recognizes the spectrum of professional and diversity practices, and results that should be encouraged at the time of selecting the works. VAEA has at its disposal a myriad of possible exhibitions, in collaboration with various prominent foundations and museums • Museum without Walls: while the necessary arrangements are being made to formally initiate activities for The Project, artistic actions will be developed within a strategy of public actions called Museum Without Walls. The Program of Conferences of Art, The Guide Tours Program to museums and art galleries, The Children’s Art Program in public spaces, and the creation of the New Rochelle Philharmonic will be key elements of activism, community and awareness building
Project Team • Ali Cordero Casal Chairman • Luis Cancel Executive Director • Nicolas Moessner Head of Fundraising, Development & Partnerships • Enluis Manuel Montes Olivar Director of Performing Arts • Herman Ebner Architecture Advisor • David Fragoso Residency Program Coordinator
Sponsorship Opportunities VAEA Art Foundation will renovate and operate a new cultural center in New Rochelle, New York. The state of the art renovation that will include exhibition Space and a theater will have an approximate 10.000 Sq/F. “Cost of renovation” could reach up to $1,000 per Sq/F for a total of $10,000,000
We need Your support ! VAEA Art Foundation as a non for profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, VAEA Art Foundation will provide donors with: • A tax deductible donation receipt. • Recognition. • Founding Donors $100k. • Platinum Donors $50 - 100k. • Social media recognition. • Preference seat and invitations at events and annual gala.
How To Donate
VAEA Educational Programs
• Online using your credit/debit card on VAEA’s website Donate page at www.vearts.org • By Zelle: donate@vearts.org • By Direct deposit Chase Bank Bank: JP Morgan Chase Beneficiary: The Venezuelan American Endowment for the Arts Checking account: 969205327 Swift: CHASU33 Routing: 021000021 Beneficiary Address: 25 Broadway, 9th Floor, NYC 10004 Bank’s Address: 18699 Broadway, New York, NY 10023 Donation for the renovation of the new VAEA New Rochelle space
Contact
Nicolas Moessner Head of Fundraising nicolas@vaearts.org Phone (1)-917-667-7939 Other management contacts Ali Cordero Casal Chairman Alicorderocasal@vaearts.org Phone (1)-305-322-8899 Luis Cancel Executive Director Luis@vearts.org Phone (1)-917-818-9098