Important: Changes to OffCenter's Studio Lease

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON OFFCENTER’S COMMUNITY STUDIO:

OffCenter Arts is actively working toward realizing the vision of having our own building: a sustainable, stable space to welcome folks in for creativity and connection. Although we hoped to do this while continuing to serve the community from our current studio space on Park Ave, plans have shifted.

On October 23, we were informed by our landlords that they will not renew OffCenter’s lease at the end of this year. We need to be completely out of the building by December 31. Although this news is surprising and upsetting, it is fully within their rights as landlords. After 22 years, we have two months to pack up and make a new plan.

So we are making a new plan! 2027 will see OffCenter’s free community art programs continue – in partnership with other organizations and in a variety of different locations.

The long-term vision is for a bigger, better, more stable space of our own. Whether this looks like building ownership or a deep and committed partnership with aligned collaborators is still to come. While we work to make our big vision a reality, we’ll continue to create spaces for everyone in our community to gather together, create, and connect.

2027 will be a year of transitions and experimentation. Together, we create our community. Now is a time for us to lean into our generosity and creativity, and hold tight to our values and each other.

—>Share your support today and help build OffCenter’s future!

Support OffCenter today

A short note from Mika:

Although I am heartbroken at the thought of having to disrupt the stable presence that OffCenter’s home studio space is for so many people (our staff members included), I also see the deep opportunities that this shift opens up.

Earlier this year Ana gave me a sticker that says “We can be furious…and also flourishing.” I’m angry that we have to momentarily close the doors on people that it is such an honor to serve and welcome in. I’m also excited by the idea of finding ways to open more doors throughout the city as we bring OffCenter’s core values of Radical Hospitality to new spaces.

I’m confident when we are able to open the doors to our future home, it will be to welcome an even broader community of creatives into a more welcoming, active, and stable space.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue to share more about this big shift and what comes next. Please stay close, stay connected, and reach out to me with any questions, ideas, concerns, or ways you would like to support.

With deep care,

Mika

Reach out to Mika with questions, ideas, or concerns.

The shift: our lease is not being renewed

After 22 years, our landlords have decided to not renew OffCenter’s lease at the end of this year. We need to be completely out of the building by December 31. The timeline is quick! With just two months to work with, we need to shift plans for this year even as we craft new plans for 2027 and push our work towards the long-term vision into higher gear.

We remain focused on first things first: caring for our community of artists as we steward OffCenter's mission into the future.

While the immediacy of this move comes as a surprise, we knew that we'd outgrown the current building. We also know there are plenty of places in Albuquerque where we can thrive.

Your support is crucial!

What’s next:

2027 will see OffCenter more deeply engaged throughout the city. Instead of everything happening under one roof – we plan to bring OffCenter’s vision of access to art making and social connection to spaces throughout ABQ. OffCenter’s free community art programs will continue throughout 2027. We just won’t be in our current space on Park Avenue.

For a while, OffCenter may take the form of a network woven throughout the city rather than a single location. We’re leaning into the supportive community of other arts and community organizations that make ABQ wonderful. Although it is heartwrenching to think about not having a single, shared space for us to gather together consistently, there are exciting new partnerships and programs that are already beginning to grow out of this change.

We’re already working on finding fun and welcoming spaces to host our weekly workgroups, classes and Open Studio. We will continue to share updates on program locations and schedules as we solidify plans for the new year.

Questions? Ideas? Just ask. Hit reply to this email or stop by the studio during our regular open hours.

2026 Studio Schedule:

In November:

Studio programming will continue as planned. The studio is open for you to come and create with us!

->Join us this Friday for ABQ Artwalk 4x4 Mini Art Benefit at OffCenter & the New Works Exhibition at FUSION.

->Find Open Studio and workgroup hours and details here.

In December:

Our last week of Open Studio and classes in the 808 Park Ave space will be December 1-5.

We’ll spend a few weeks organizing, packing, and clearing out 22 years of creativity. We plan to be out of the building completely by December 23.

The long term vision: a bigger, better space for OffCenter

It has long been part of OffCenter’s vision to expand into a more sustainable space: a building that we own or are in deeply aligned partnership; more space to offer classes and supportive programming alongside increased Open Studio access; the flexibility and trust of having a space we can rely on and plan for decades to come – not just 12 months at a time. The need for increased space has been especially evident as we hit capacity during Open Studio and consistently have to turn people away at the door.

Over the past two years we have been spending time building our partnerships with other aligned organizations, visioning what a new space might hold for us and the communities we serve, and starting conversations with funders about how to push these ideas into reality.

Although we are very early in the process, we’re building on the visions laid out by previous generations of OffCenter leadership and are inspired by over two decades of resourceful creativity demonstrated daily by OffCenter participants.

How can you help:

Become a recurring monthly donor! Recurring support is more important than ever. Sign up today and provide important stability for OffCenter as we plan for the future. Plus, right now your gift has an even bigger impact: each new donor is matched with a gift of $250 thanks to a generous match donation!

Come shop at the gallery! Our gallery serves as important program income for OffCenter AND is a valuable economic opportunity for many local artists. Shop the gallery this month and help us clear out the inventory of amazing art.

Join us for ABQ Artwalk this Friday, November 6! Your support means everything to our team and has a huge impact on our participating artists.
New Works Exhibition at FUSION - 4-7 pm at FUSION, 708 1st St NW.
4x4 Mini Art Benefit Show - 5-8 pm at OffCenter Arts

Share an end of year donation with OffCenter! No need to wait – make a donation online here today. Mail or drop-off a check at the studio, 808 Park Ave SW, ABQ, NM 87102. Your financial support helps provide stability to our plans for 2027 AND brings us closer to our big vision of a true home for OffCenter Arts!

Come create in the studio with us. Our community is strongest when we gather and make together.

Celebrate OffCenter and the impact the studio has had on your life. Share your stories of what OffCenter has meant to you here.

Help us envision and create the future! Share your ideas and resources to build OffCenter’s new home. Offer kindness to a neighbor. Use this time to practice OffCenter's core value of Radical Hospitality wherever you can!

Questions? Ideas? Please reach out. Just hit reply to this email to connect with Mika.