Atlanta: Save Eyedrum

Editor's note: This is a repost from Chuck Jones, fellow Atlanta blogger, DJ and all around good guy.

Hello everyone,

I'm taking a moment to share some potentially sad news about one of Atlanta's longest running non-profit independent art venues, The Eyedrum Arts and Music Gallery. Faced with financial set-back and escalating rent with Atlanta in-town property giant, Braden Fellman, the eleven-year-old Atlanta staple faces its possible demise.

I first attended an Eyedrum installation sometime in late 1999/early 2000 and can remember the amazing performance by Pam Howe (formerly of pH Balance) and Bret Busch (Double B). They were such an amazing talent with fantastic voices... Back then, Eyedrum was located in a tiny downtown dilapidated space on Trinity Avenue next door to what became the nightclub Trinity (most recently The Royal). At that time, Atlanta had a fully autonomous, integrated, and ambitious indie arts community, and it accomplished a lot of fantastic things in a relatively short period of time [collectives/organizations, bands, and other artistic talents such as subMedia, POP Films, Flashbang!, Eyekiss Films, DangerCrew, Aerial (Aerial2012), pH Balance. Minamina Goodsong, etc., etc.]. As a result, it wasn't long before Eyedrum was able to secure its new space on MLK, Jr. Dr. (next to Mattress Factory Lofts), where it has remained ever since.

Even before Eyedrum moved to its current residence eight years ago, the space it now occupies was used for many different art installations and openings/parties (as there were many indie art parties at various nondescript locations at that time). Therefore, the venue holds a lot of tender memories for Atlanta's budding and burgeoning arts scene.

As a community, we can come together by donating to Eyedrum in an effort to keep such a visionary organization in business (see how below). I would even suggest doing community organizing and fundraisers. Also, a little heavy-handedness towards Braden Fellman wouldn't hurt, since I'm sure the property value of Eyedrum's space has grown exponentially with the on-going gentrification of Cabbagetown and Old Fourth Ward.

~Chuck


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Eyedrum May Soon Call It Quits

Financial straits snare Atlanta's longest-running all-volunteer nonprofit arts space

ATLANTA - Facing a heavy rent burden and ever-increasing operating expenses, Eyedrum's board of directors held an emergency meeting Sunday, July 11, to consider the survival of the longtime art and music organization.

The options are few. They include a significant decrease in rent, bringing on other Atlanta-based arts organizations to sublet part of the 6,0000-square-foot space, a move to a smaller space, or an end to the award-winning venue altogether.

Having just celebrated 10 years in October 2008, the demise of Atlanta's longest-running alternative art and music space would be a huge loss to the Atlanta community. Eyedrum consistently has been a nurturing ground for creativity and progressive thinking in that time.

The Eyedrum music archive, the gallery's greatest asset next to the people involved, features more than 1,000 shows recorded live over the past 10 years. It is one of the few venues that features - built-out by members of the all-volunteer board - three visual art gallery spaces, and a performance space with a professional-quality sound system with multi-track recording capability.

Eyedrum secured a $30,000 Warhol Foundation curatorial grant in 2006, and is a 10-year Best of Atlanta winner in both music and art categories (Creative Loafing).

These accomplishments were achieved all while operating debt-free - yet another point of achievement considering the nontraditional nature of the organization, and limited grant and sponsorship funding.

The board plans to attempt a negotiation with its landlord, Braden Fellman, later this week, and will reconvene no later than July 26 to discuss any developments on rent reduction, and to consider proposals from other arts organizations. Arts organizations and investors who are interested in partnering with Eyedrum should contact Vice Chairman Allen Welty Green at agmedia@mindspring.com.

Any donations received through Eyedrum's website (http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.eyedrum.org) will be directed toward operating expenses. And while such donations are greatly appreciated, the urgency and severity of Eyedrum's financial burden cannot be overstated. Without a hefty reduction in overhead costs, a major move - physically or in terms of the organization's identity - is unavoidable.
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Started in 1998, Eyedrum is a nonprofit organization developing an interdisciplinary approach to the arts by incorporating a wide range of contemporary art, music and new media in its gallery space. The gallery is operated entirely by volunteers, and supported through memberships and donations. It has been recognized internationally as well as locally by Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs and within the community at large for its advancement of innovation.