the creative economy in the south bronx

In 2007 the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) contracted a team of graduate students from The NYU Wagner School of Public Service Capstone Program to write an art driven business development plan, Economic Development through a Creative Economy. This has given us a baseline from which to further boost the creative economy in the South Bronx. Through surveys, informant interviews, and desktop research, we are discovering a critical mass of creative industry.

Stay tuned….BCA is developing several new resources–a creative industries directory, and a space inventory.

Focus Groups

Creative Industries Focus Group, August 7, 2007

Ellen Pollan’s first hand account of the Creative Industry Focus group evening in August.

BCA is now sponsoring a monthly series of focus groups for stakeholders in the South Bronx creative economy to ascertain common issues, concerns and visions for the area.

This gathering of South Bronx professionals has included artists working in all disciplines, artisans, entrepreneurs and small business professionals, and leaders from local non-profits. The focus groups have also become a prime opportunity for networking and exchange amongst participants.

Profiles of the Creative Economy

Profiles of professionals involved in the creative economy of the South Bronx. These and others will become part of the Creative Industries Directory link to lower in page, which will provide greater visibility for artists, artisans, and the creative and cultural industries in the South Bronx.

Pure West Documentaries is “a young, enthusiastic, socially-conscious company, that creates film and videos that impact today's society.”

2545 Sedgwick Avenue, Suite 6J
Bronx, NY 10468
Phone: 718 355 6024
www.pwdocs.com
info@purewestmedia.com

Juan Carlos Pineiro (pictured), Director.

Tony Terrell Productions
Tony Terrell Caribbean Jazz Quartet
718-401-6177
917-690-4859
tonyterrellprod@optonline.net

Tony Terrell (pictured), steel pan player, moved to the South Bronx in 1998.

“Everyone has problems- I can’t solve their problems but if they come to hear me play they’ll forget about their problems for an hour or two.”

A E Art Canvas Priming
605 E 132nd St, #132
Bronx, NY 10454
718-665-3814

Angel De la Cruz (pictured) operates a factory dedicated to preparing custom canvases for artists. Angel and his three full-time employees stretch and prime specialty canvases of all sizes that are sold through custom orders at art supply stores and also to individual artists.

Sterling Frames, Inc.
544 East 171st Street
Bronx, NY 10457
718-588-8815
www.sterlingframes.com
sterframes@aol.com

In addition to custom framing for artists, private collections and galleries, Sterling Frames specializes in gold and silver leaf gilding and antique frame restoration. Luis Sterling (pictured) recently relocated his business to the Bronx from Long Island City, and has been in business for twenty years.

ArtChiz Studios NYC
917-273-0965
www.artchiz.com
www.ArtChiz.etsy.com
chiztina@hotmail.com

Stephanie Chisholm, aka Chiz, offers fine art and fine art prints at her websites.

The image at left is her most recent self portrait entitled, "Day Dream".

Rainbow Graphics
39 Bruckner Blvd (entrance on Alexander Ave)
Bronx, NY 10454
718-585-6869

Recently opened at this location, Joseph Cofer's (pictured) fine art gallery is filled with colorful tropical paintings and prints by himself and by other artists that he represents. Rainbow Graphics also provides fine art reproduction, photo printing, logo and graphic design.

Custom Design Studio
49 Bruckner Blvd
Bronx, NY 10454
718-665-0777 / 718-993-8370
718-665-7896 (fax)
www.customdesignny.com
custdesny@aol.com

Denisse and Enrique Cruz specialize in custom furniture upholstery (pictured), antique furniture re-upholstery, drapes at customers request, plus other commercial work, including custom made slip covers, wall upholstery and throw pillows. Custom Design Studio has been in business for 18 years. New York magazine wrote in 2005 that "Custom Design Studio may be the best-kept secret in the trade."

Diane Davis, artist
718-798-3482
www.sophisticatedfunk.net
artistdianedavis@yahoo.com

Artist Diane Davis, (pictured), a painter and illustrator by nature, enjoys the freedom of expressing herself and telling stories through her art. Her abstract dancers speak a language of passion, freedom and self assuredness through their sensual and abstract.

The Evolution of an Artist Network

A. J. Sister Black
Crochet Artist
Official Native Head Gear
646-314-0480
ajsisterblack@hotmail.com

Long-time resident and active member of the South Bronx, A. J. Sister Black (pictured) has participated in the BCA's Artisans Initiative since 2004. She sells a variety of all weather headgear with many different colors, and many different materials for her unique styles. She also teaches others how to make headgear, incorporating mathematics.

Sonia Johnson, (pictured), who is also a crochet artist, met A.J. Sister Black through BCA's Artisans Initiative and says that they "hit it off." She makes baby clothing, dresses, leg warmers, and other one-of-a-kind designs. Her daughter, Shakema Smith (pictured below), has started a clothing boutique...

Shakema Smith (pictured)
Zion Works Clothing Boutique
745 Burke Avenue
Bronx, NY 10467“I love fashion and my mom helped me to see the importance of fashion that is rooted in culture."

The boutique is open every day from about noon to ten pm and features many handmade items.

Stay Tuned!

Creative Industry Directory--a new online networking and resource directory for artist and artisans, collectors, business professionals, and the general public. The directory will serve to highlight and strengthen the existing creative economy in the South Bronx, through compiling information in an easy to access place, and will provide free added online presence for the creative industries. Click here for the Bronx Black Book.
Space Inventory--to provide referrals and space resources for entrepreneurs of the cultural industry and for creative endeavors. BCA is now surveying commercial districts in the Cultural Corridor.
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More fun Profiles of the Creative Economy

This program is made possible with funding from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund/Stimulating Place-Based Revitalization Venture, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Bronx Delegation
of the City Council, and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr.

Special thanks to: