Building for Dance
New York City has had its share of real estate of problems, none more disturbing than the loss in the 1980s of studio spaces throughout Manhattan. Although 200 dance teachers banned together to protest the skyrocketing commercial lease increases (increased on the premise that the city was in a financial crisis and arts organizations were no longer viable to its commercial health), the loss of space and number of departing teachers was stunning. Despite hundreds of petitions and many committees with "stars" picketing to inform Mayor Koch that the loss of students and studios would only add to the city's financial crisis, the dance community lost teachers, space and students overnight, in some instances.
Fortunately, the profession survived and New York City is once again a center for study of all forms of dance despite the cost of rentals for studios and apartments. Two major rental studios have recently announced loss of leases, but are in negotiation for other space. The good news is there have been two large buildings opened for dance: Cedar Lake on October 24, with a series of modern dance performances under the direction of artistic director, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, and the Baryshnikov Arts Center on December 6 with a fund-raiser for the Buglisi/Foreman contemporary dance company. Cedar Lake's 16,000-square-foot building houses studios and a small performing theater, all wrapped in a warm, brick façade dating back to its former occupant, photographer Anne Leibovitz. The area has attracted art galleries.
On the other hand, the Baryshnikov Arts Center is six floors of space available to "choreographers, dancers, composers, musicians, filmmakers, actors, directors, visual-arts writers and others." The area is still opaque. The building is functional and lacks individuality, but has plenty of space.
For more information: stacigsmltd@earthlink.net and baryshnikovdancefoundation,org.