The Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition (FRACC) is delighted to announce the grand opening of The Ignition Space, a creative hub located at 341 South Main Street in Fall River. This initiative stands as a significant component of FRACC's comprehensive Ignition Project, which is designed to empower local artists and entrepreneurs through mini-grants (Ignition Fund), no-cost education (Ignition ED), and space activation (Ignition Space).
The Ignition Space is tailored to meet the unique needs and challenges of our creative community. It provides a 700 sq ft no-cost venue for exhibitions, learning, and arts programming, eliminating barriers faced by creatives seeking publicly accessible spaces for their projects and programs. The Ignition Space not only supports Ignition Fund grant recipients but also invites creative individuals, community groups, and small organizations to keep 341 South Main Street vibrant by submitting arts-based events through a community request for proposals, which is now available online.
Join us for a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the One SouthCoast Chamber on September 12th at 10 am. This momentous event signifies the beginning of a new chapter in creative expression and cultural growth for the Fall River arts community. The versatile Ignition Space will serve as a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work, fostering connections and driving positive change through the arts.
We're proud to acknowledge notable project contributors, such as the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery at Bristol Community College, which is dedicated to providing artists and creatives with learning opportunities in exhibit fundamentals, programming implementation, and community engagement, further cultivating a vibrant arts scene in Fall River.
Kathleen Hancock, Director of Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery, states, "The Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery is committed to fostering a culture of creative expression in our region. The gallery’s ongoing partnership with FRACC and other local and regional arts and community groups is a reflection of our mission to support and encourage opportunities to experience art in a variety of settings."
Ashley Occhino, Executive Director of FRACC, adds, "We take immense pride in introducing the Ignition Space, a vital part of FRACC's Ignition Project, to the Fall River community. This space embodies our unwavering commitment to supporting local artists and creatives, serving as a beacon of inspiration and collaboration for years to come. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our program partners, Bristol Community College and site owner John Varao, and our funder, the TDI Creative Catalyst Grant Program, administered by MassDevelopment and funded by the Barr Foundation, for their instrumental support in bringing this creative venture to life."
Local officials, community leaders, artists, and art enthusiasts will join the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the birth of the Ignition Space and its positive impact on the arts and culture landscape in Fall River. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the Ignition Space and experience firsthand the possibilities this dynamic venue holds for future exhibitions, workshops, and artistic endeavors.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Ignition Space will open to the public. Please join us for this significant occasion on September 12th at 10 am at 341 South Main Street, Fall River, as we commemorate the Ignition Space's role within FRACC's Ignition Project and its transformative effect on the arts and culture scene in our cherished city.
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