A plan to create affordable space for artists, arts organizations and nonprofits in East Dearborn inched another step forward on Wednesday.

The East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority (EDDDA), in partnership with the City of Dearborn, tells us that an artist market survey will go out to artists in a 50 mile radius of Dearborn. This survey will be conducted by Artspace, the nation’s leading nonprofit real estate developer for the arts. The EDDDA is working with Artspace to explore a new and creative way to a potential economic development project in East Dearborn.

“The reason they (Artspace) are contacting artists outside of Dearborn is to more fully understand how many artists are interested in space and if they would move to Dearborn if affordable space were accessible here,” said Melissa Kania of the EDDDA. “The survey will provide Artspace with statistical information including such things as: artist housing needs, affordability ranges, rental vs. ownership preferences, artist studio-only needs, location preferences, design requirements based on household sizes and arts disciplines, and arts organization space needs.”

This is where many of us can help this project. Dearborn and Artspace need our help in collecting the names and email addresses of as many artists as possible in and outside of Dearborn (50 mile radius) to actually take the survey. Artspace will be kicking off this survey phase of the study with a public meeting Nov. 9 in the Council Chambers at Dearborn City Hall. The short survey launches Nov. 9 and runs through January 14, 2011.

Some of you may recall that Artspace was in Dearborn June 22 and 23, 2010 to begin the process of building community support for the creation of affordable space for artists, entrepreneurs and arts organizations.

They explored five areas of consideration: project concept, artist market need, site suitability, potential to fund and sustain a project and local leadership. A public meeting was held to determine community support and inform the public of Artspace’s work. The Prefeasibility Visit is the first step in the process that can lead to an Artspace project.

Interested artists can visit: www.artspacedearborn.org to register for the survey.