Vision

We envision the arts driving economic and community development as an integral part of DC's vibrant metropolitan area.

Scope

Our scope includes service to artists and arts organizations, property owners, developers and residents throughout the DC metropolitan area.

Core Values

The Cultural Development Corporation is committed to the following organizational values:

• Creativity & Inclusion. Fostering creativity, imagination, innovation and vision in people, organizations, businesses and community development strategies and appreciating the diversity of artists, arts organizations and our communities.
  
  
• Collaboration & Partnership. Connecting arts and business organizations to foster healthy, vital communities. Encouraging collaboration to make the most of scarce resources and promote sustainability.
  
  
• Sustainability & Stewardship. Advocating for sustainable spaces for artists and arts organizations and assisting in capacity building and organizational development.
  
  
• Integrity & Accountability. Maintaining good judgment with each decision and objectivity in all selection processes and acting as a trusted partner.

Consulting

CuDC has built a reputation for successfully "brokering" space. We're a trusted voice when it comes to real estate development involving artists and arts organizations. CuDC is DC's clearinghouse for cultural facilities information, maintaining a database of arts space seekers that includes individual artists, arts-related businesses and cultural organizations.

We offer consulting services to developers, architects, owners, and other real estate professionals for developing space for arts uses — theatres, galleries, museums, dance studios, artist housing, etc. We also work with the District government, Main Street efforts, community development corporations, business improvement districts and federal government agencies in order to match arts organizations with development projects. As a result, we stay apprised of available spaces suitable for arts users.

Artists Housing

CuDC creates affordable, urban, live-and/or-work opportunities for area artists and their families. CuDC's artist housing program seeks to counteract the fact that many artists are often priced out of the city, resulting in a loss of valuable creative capital to the District. Providing affordable spaces for artists to live, work and create is crucial to retain the creative and cultural capital that enables our city to thrive. Helping artists continue to live and work in the metro area preserves valuable access to the arts for area residents and encourages economic development and community revitalization.

More information about the Cultural Development Corporation is at: www.culturaldc.org