Majority in Collective believe it has outgrown Arts Factory

Friday, Feb. 17, 2006 | 8:56 a.m.

After more than a decade as an anchor in the downtown Arts Factory, the Contemporary Arts Collective is looking to move into a larger space, possibly a nearly 2,000-square-foot gallery at the renovated Holsum Lofts.

The move would pluck the collective from the original hub of the Arts District, a host for First Friday, and move it a half-mile west on Charleston Boulevard, where it would join other galleries, boutiques and businesses.

Board members say the Arts Collective, which has 700 artists and supporters, needs more space to fulfill its mission and serve its growing membership. The potential move to Holsum would nearly double its current space.

"The organization is at a pivotal point in its history," said Brian Alvarez, vice president of the board, who supports the move. "We have no more room."

The board voted 6-3 Saturday in favor of pursuing a lease at Holsum Lofts, as well as the additional 250 square feet offered to them at Arts Factory at a monthly rent increase of $600. (Two board members were absent and one abstained from voting.)

Lisa Chasteen, Holsum Lofts' spokeswoman, said there are two other entities looking at the space and they won't know until next week who will occupy the space.

"It's simply a proposal right now," Chasteen said.

The lofts, located at Charleston Boulevard and Interstate 15, used to be the Holsum bread factory. The building was renovated and opened last year by LaPour Partners and is operating at capacity. There's an opening coming up. Holsum officials wouldn't say who was leaving, but there's no shortage of interested clients.

Board members say Holsum Lofts, which generally attracts a more sophisticated crowd on First Fridays, would better allow the group to raise money, build a capital campaign and show more member exhibits.

Not all of the members support the decision to move from the Arts Factory.

"Some people want to stay; some people want to go," said Jacie Maynard, president of the Arts Collective board, and proprietor of the L. Maynard Galleries at the Holsum Lofts. She abstained from voting Saturday.

"I know we need space," she said. "To fulfill our membership mission, we need space. Yes we will have a higher rent, we will have to raise the bar on fundraising, but we'd have to do that anyway."

Ultimately, Maynard said, "We'd like to have our own building."

At the Arts Factory, the group receives a $1,000 in-kind donation toward rent from owner Wes Myles. The collective would need a similar type of in-kind donation to make the rent at Holsum Lofts.

Myles said he'd hate to see the group leave, but said he has no hard feelings over the issue. The Arts Factory is also at capacity and has a waiting list of tenants eager to move in.

Myles said he coerced the group into the Arts Factory in the early '90s as a way to build creative energy in the building and has helped the nonprofit group when it was in the red and couldn't pay its rent.

"It's critical that they stay alive," Myles said. "They are the true artist's organization. If you come to town and want to participate in an artist organization, that is it."

As part of its New York Stage & Beyond Series, the dance troupe Ailey II will present an evening of high-energy dance at 8 p.m. Saturday at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall.

The junior dance company from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is on its 2005-06 US Tour and performing selections from its contemporary repertoire. Tickets are $40, $55 and $85. Call 895-2787.

Kristen Peterson can be reached at 259-2317 or kristen@lasvegassun.com.