LT2024-023-PUNCH PROJECTS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Response 2.2 * Application Questions: Parl 2 3[ lmpact Describe lbs pnor success ol your evertlactivily/lacility in attraction tourtsts. Prior to launching the "Fire House Project" in fall 2O21, PUNCH focused on shorl- term, often single-day arts and music events. For example, in 2417 and 20'18 the "Barnstorm" evenl temporarily activated an underutilized warehouse space on the backside of Bluestone Academy in what we call the "SODO" district of Ellensburg, brealhing new life into it with events that featured contemporary visual art, performance-based works and tive music, coupled with great drinks and an inspiring atmosphere. The events were overwhelmingly received, wiih over 500 folks in attendance at the 2018 "Barnstorm." The interest and excitement we've witnessed at these pop-ups, as well as the exhibitions and other events we've hosted over the years here in our community, prove lhat there is nol only a demand, but a need for spaces that combine inspiring social interactions with exhibilion and performance venues. And while our community is a strong supporter of the visual arts, with opportunities to visit exhibitions at a small number of galleries during our First Friday Artwalk, there are few spaces that combine that with a slrong hospitality experience, live music, film, or performance. After moving into the historic fire house in Thorp in October 2021, we quickly expanded fiom just a gallery and exhibition space in the front of the building, to an upstairs summer residency space for visiting artis{s in partnership with Ellensburg's Gallery One, and a backyard stage for musicians and performers. During our first year, we tracked attendance from 11112O22 - 813112422 and recorded 827 visitors over 34 Saturdays with an estimated 16% out-of-county. h 2A23 for the same date range, we've been able to increase thal to 1157 visitors with an estimated 21.B% out-of-county with the support of Lodging Tax Funds. From our past expertence of operating a visual arts space in Seattle to a successful first-two-years with our Fire House Project, coupled with our community's overwhelming need for a creative venue that merges the arts, live performance, good drinks and food, we feel uniquely poised 1o create a destination that not only supports rural vitality in small unincorporated Thorp, but also huilds bridges between the urban cultural centers of the Northwest and the smaller communities among the fertile landscape from which PUNCH originated. 2500 character lirrit