Los Angeles, CA – In February 2025, AvalonBay Communities, the Institute of Contemporary Art - Los Angeles (ICA LA), and Griffin Capital Company, LLC teamed up to provide studio space to artists impacted by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. Many artists who live and work in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades not only lost their homes but also their studios, gravely impacting their livelihoods and capacity to make art. Artists’ works in progress and older works were destroyed, along with essential equipment, archives, and documents.
AvalonBay Communities, ICA LA, and Griffin Capital acted quickly to offer ten local artists, who were victims of the wildfires, free studio spaces at AVA Arts District. The cost of rent, utilities, and maintenance will be covered for six months so that the artists can rebuild and return to their creative work. Located on the north side of ICA LA, AVA Arts District, which hosted its grand opening in May 2024, includes 475 apartment homes, retail storefronts, and green spaces. AvalonBay partnered with Griffin Capital, a leading private real estate investment manager, to raise capital for and construct the unique multifamily community that reflects the neighborhood’s creative history.
“Over the past forty years, the Arts District area has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from industrial warehouses to an enclave of artistic expression, complete with galleries, studios, and murals throughout its streets,” said Mark Janda, SVP of Development at AvalonBay Communities. “AvalonBay was excited to honor this vibrant history through the intentional design and development of AVA Arts District, and we’re pleased to now offer studio space on site to support local creators during this difficult time.”
Through its strong ties to the local community of artists, ICA LA identified ten visual artists in immediate need of studio space, including Kelly Akashi, Patty Chang, Jane Orr, Sam Richardson, Bret Nicely & Jill Spector, Camilla Taylor, and Diana Thater & T. Kelly Mason. Artists will move into their new spaces throughout February 2025.
“We cannot tell you how much this means to us. It is incredible that this was set up and happened so quickly,” said pioneering film and video artist Diana Thater, who was offered the free studio space for herself and her artist husband T. Kelly Mason. “The best thing for artists who have lost everything is to get back to work. Even though we’ll be entering the studios with practically nothing, we’ll emerge with something soon.”
“When the fires erupted in Los Angeles, we immediately considered how ICA LA could support artists in this moment,” ICA LA Executive Director Anne Ellegood added. “Having developed a strong relationship with AvalonBay Communities, my first thought was to approach them about offering studio space to artists who had lost so much. We are grateful to AvalonBay and Griffin Capital for their partnership and thrilled to be able to welcome artists to the Arts District and to be in community with ICA LA as we all continue to navigate the yet unforeseen impacts of the devastating fires. Despite the unspeakable loss, what is abundantly clear is that the arts community of Los Angeles is just that, a community, in which people care deeply for one another. The outpouring of support for artists is especially meaningful, as it indicates that Angelenos recognize that creatives are the heartbeat of our city.”
Paul De Martini, Chief Investment Officer at Griffin Capital said, “We genuinely understand the struggles artists in our community are facing due to these devastating fires. We are happy to offer them the support they need as they work through their recovery and begin to rebuild."
AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a member of the S&P 500, is an equity REIT that develops, redevelops, acquires and manages apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. As of December 31, 2024, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 306 apartment communities containing 93,518 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 17 communities were under development. More information may be found on the Company’s website at www.avalonbay.com.