AEDP News

The Industrial Development Authority Kickstarts Old Town North Arts District with the Art League’s Relocation and Expansion

When the local nonprofit needed a new home, AEDP offered a creative financing solution to ignite the start of Alexandria’s new arts district…   

Alexandria’s long-awaited Old Town North Arts District is taking shape. The Art League, the beloved arts and education nonprofit that has called Old Town home for the past 70 years, has secured its new classroom space in the neighborhood and will expand into the new arts space set aside in the Muse building.  

Thanks to a creative financing solution developed by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) and carried out by the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Alexandria (IDA) with City Council’s approval, the Art League will now have the funding it needs to build out new classrooms at 800 Slaters Lane as well as the retail space on the first floor of the Muse at 1201 N. Fairfax Street, becoming the first official tenant in the Old Town North Arts District.  

The arts nonprofit has served as a cornerstone of the region, offering art classes, gallery spaces, art supplies, and arts outreach programs to the local community for 70 years. When COVID hit, the nonprofit saw a 70% drop in enrollment. “The Art League was pretty much shut down,” said Executive Director Suzanne Bethel. “We’re just starting to approach 2019 enrollment levels again. So, we are looking at this opportunity to stay within our neighborhood as a great renaissance for us.”  

When Bethel asked for help to keep the organization in Alexandria, the AEDP team responded with an innovative use of a classic economic development tool. The IDA is administered by AEDP and has long been a pass-through issuer of bonds to nonprofit organizations. But to help the Art League, the IDA will take a more active role, issuing bonds backed by the City to renovate 800 Slaters Lane and taking ownership of the Muse spaces to facilitate the build out there. This is the first time the IDA has been used in such a manner to incent and retain a local nonprofit business displaced by redevelopment. 

The Art League’s new home comes at the perfect time, as it gears up to celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. “There are a lot of reasons to be excited and optimistic about what the arts can do in Old Town North and what we can bring that really adds another dimension to Alexandria that Arlington and D.C. don’t have,” said Bethel. “It will be interesting to see how we put a unique stamp on this section of town. I think we have every reason to believe that this is going to be a model for us to follow as we look for other expansions in the future.” 

The IDA and AEDP are continually exploring ways to make a difference as Jennifer Atkins, chair of the IDA, explains. “We’re proud to have been able to offer this kind of support to a beloved, homegrown community-serving organization and hope that this deal can be used as a model to further explore how AEDP and the IDA can support small businesses as the City continues to grow and develop.” Helping organizations like The Art League to remain in Alexandria is the goal.  

To contribute to The Art League’s fundraising efforts or learn more about the organization’s journey at Old Town North, follow along at https://www.theartleague.org/support/facilities/.