Anacostia Arts Center: Reflections and the Road Ahead

It was my first day with WACIF as the General Director of the Anacostia Arts Center (AAC). September of 2023. I sat in the sun-soaked gallery, surrounded by art marveling at how fortunate I was to be entrusted with stewarding such an incredible place at an instrumental time in its history. I felt excited but nervous about the responsibility of leading a space with such a vibrant history and with a vital role to the Ward 8 community. At the time, I didn’t know that the Anacostia Art Center is affectionately called “the living room of Anacostia.” Since then, I have come to understand and deeply appreciate that description through countless encounters with the people who come into this amazing space.

From the outside, the building looks unassuming. You see a glass storefront, perhaps a glimpse of the ever-changing artwork in the gallery, a window display of an array of stylish clothes from AAC based retailer Vintage and Charmed. You may see the gradient steps of the WACIF logo that signify the presence of WACIF and their commitment to our community. Above it all, the name glows as a light installation by a premier artist formerly based in Anacostia for decades and long-time neighbor and friend of the Anacostia Arts Center,  Craig Kraft.  

But what you can’t see from the sidewalk is that this is a place for possibilities that has held the hopes and dreams of thousands over the years. What you can’t see from the outside, is the countless times we have supported artists and entrepreneurs with “You got this! You’re on the right path…and if you need help, we got you.”  

There is a treasure trove of stories woven into the foundation of this space. What once began as department store, and later a workforce training center, is now a space for the development of creative futures and pursuit of financial independence through arts and entrepreneurship. Today, it stands as a center for possibilities.

The Anacostia Arts Center is where businesses like Fresh Food Factory, Chappel Cleaning Service, Hello Tractor, Bold Yoga, The Beautiful Brown Rainbow, Black Squirrel Company, DJ RBI and the Crate Convention and countless others have come to incubate their businesses and grow.  By providing lower barriers to entry, we supported their efforts to test products, get to know their consumer, develop and test products and expand.

Noni Dope, a lifelong resident of the community, has showcased her work in our space to expand her fine art career, exhibiting one-of-a-kind tufted pieces inspired by her experiences in the Anacostia community. She is woven into the history of this building. The Trigger Project, founded by Tia Bell, brought hundreds of people together here to raise awareness and inspire change for our community. Her spirit of leadership is forever a part of the AAC. For Jordan Foushee, a lifelong Anacostia resident, our gallery offered a platform for his very first solo exhibition, which led to his very first commission from Nike. His journey forward will forever be linked to this space.

These are just a few of the countless stories that highlight how the AAC has been a beacon of hope and a stalwart supporter for the region’s entrepreneurs, makers, and community members.

With the closure of the building, we are thrilled to finally launch our exciting redevelopment project that has been in the works since WACIF acquired the building in December 2021. The project will expand on our mission to support the local arts and entrepreneurship ecosystem in a storied location like the AAC.

WACIF’s mission includes a commitment to ensuring the AAC is preserved as a catalyst for economic development in the Anacostia community accelerating the growth of local entrepreneurs in Ward 7 and 8. We achieve this through the HIVE Co-working space, affordable retail options, venue space for artists to showcase their work, vendors opportunities to sell their products, and a space for the community to congregate, convene and celebrate together.

When WACIF acquired the building four years ago, it did so with a vision to expand the facility,  including an addition of two floors. Over the last three years, WACIF has engaged with the community to better understand how people currently utilize the space and gathering input through focus groups, surveys and countless direct conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, neighbors. These insights have directly informed the vision for the future of the building and its offerings.

After more than 85 years of history, the building has some serious infrastructure needs, like outdated plumbing and electrical systems, that need upgrading to make the space efficient and comfortable for everyone who uses and relies on it. This  redevelopment is an opportunity to modernize the space, expand and renew the co-working areas, enhance the spaces available for artists and community use, and ensure it meets the needs of those it serves for decades to come.

While our doors may be closed to the public for a year of construction, our work will continue. The AAC will keep supporting the entrepreneurial and artistic communities that have always called it home through satellite programs across Anacostia and beyond.

In the coming months:

• We’ll launch a Maker Grant Program to help our vendors find new markets, build capacity, and grow their businesses during construction.
• We’ll continue to produce community based market events like the Umoja Holiday Market in December and Afro House in February.
• The HIVE co-working space has relocated to WACIF’s Rhode Island Avenue office with more than 40 of the members saying on as members.
• Monthly events like Crate Convention and Release Open Mic will continue at Anacostia based partners like Grounded and the Go-Go Museum. 
• And you’ll see Anacostia Arts Center curated satellite exhibits popping up around Anacostia and other parts of the city.

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Though the building may be dark, our work will shine on until we reopen our doors!