This document summarizes a focus group meeting to discuss needs and ideas for a proposed new arts center in Reston, Virginia. The meeting covered background on the proposed project, which would result from a development proffer. Attendees provided input through polls and discussion on desired visual arts programming, spaces, and amenities. Key priorities identified included studio space, galleries, classrooms, digital media facilities, and ensuring the center is diverse, equitable and accessible. The project team will take this community feedback into account as they continue planning.
2. W E L C OM E
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
RESTON COMMUNITY
CENTER
FAIRFAX COUNTY GRIMM + PARKER
ARCHITECTS FEASIBILITY
DESIGN ARCHITECT
4. These community outreach meetings are
being conducted to understand community
needs for a proposed arts venue in the
Reston Town Center.
The proposed arts center would be a result
of a proffer from Boston Properties in the
next phase of Reston Town Center
development (Block J).
The proffer would provide for an
approximately 60,000 gross square foot
facility to house a stage suitable for large-
scale music and dance performances, as
well as other arts-related amenities.
BACKGROUN
D
5. BACKGROUN
D
The County and RCC will seek to maximize
the ability of this project to meet the goals of
One Fairfax and the Countywide Strategic
Plan. If undertaken, this project will result in
a facility that serves everyone equitably and
with high quality.
The County and RCC want to maximize the
usefulness and activation of all capital
projects undertaken on behalf of the public.
6. RCC will not raise the Small District 5 tax
rate to accomplish this project.
The County will seek partners for funding for
the capital project.
We are not discussing opposition to this
project – please forward feedback or
questions to this email:
RCCContact@fairfaxcounty.gov
BACKGROUN
D
7. Regarding the arts venues in the region, there
are fewer amenities for visual arts. This
community expressed the needs for:
• Professionally equipped/staffed art spaces
• Suitable for all types of arts offerings
• Facilities near home communities
• Recording studios/film/digital media
• Available for affordable rental
• Adequate technical support
• Affordable storage
• Artist studios
• Galleries
Interactive Map Gallery - Community | GIS and
Mapping Services (fairfaxcounty.gov)
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/maps/community
10. In which programs/types of
performances are you most
interested?
What back-of-house spaces are
needed for performances?
What support, instructional, and
practice spaces are needed for
performing arts?
FEB 28
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE FAIRFAX COUNTY
WEBSITE
FOCUS: PERFORMING ARTS
11. D I S C U S
We want to hear from you!
Let’s discuss Visual Arts
in this new Reston Arts Center.
S
12. P OL L
To join on your smart
device / cell phone, go to
www.ttpoll.com
Enter the Session ID:
RACmeet
(not case sensitive)
It will say
“Wait for Presenter” / “Polling is Closed”
13. Poll Question #1 (choose up to 3)
What types of visual arts events, activities or
programs would you like to see offered at this
possible new venue?
A. 2-D Visual Arts
B. 3-D Arts
C. Artisan Crafts
D. Media/Digital/Film Arts
E. Maker Space
F. Street Art
G. Immersive/Conceptual
H. Rentals
I. Exhibit
J. Other
1
14. Poll Question #2 (choose up to 3)
What kinds of primary visual arts spaces should
this potential new arts center include?
A. Studio (specific)
B. Studio (general)
C. Gallery (2D/3D)
D. Exhibit Walls (2D)
E. Exhibit Cabinets (3D)
F. Public Art
G. Classrooms
H. Immersive/Conceptual
I. Broadcast/Video Lab
J. Other
2
15. Poll Question #3 (choose up to 3)
What kind of rental activities/spaces do you need?
A. Social Events
B. Business Meetings
C. Studio Rental
D. Coworking space
E. Community meetings
F. Concessions
G. Catering kitchen
H. Lobby
I. Other
3
16. Poll Question #4 (choose up to 3)
What kinds of support spaces for visual arts
should this potential new arts center include?
A. Administrative Offices
B. Reception
C. Storage/Shop for facility
D. Storage for artworks (temporary)
E. Security
F. Lobby
G. Loading
H. Control Room/Film/Broadcast/Editing
I. Other
4
17. Discussion: Classrooms/Studios
5
A. Type/Focus
B. Quantity
C. Size
D. Support Spaces
E. Equipment
F. Display + Teaching Wall(s)
G. Storage (closed, cabinetry, or open shelving)
H. Other
Consider teaching environments with low or no barriers to participation.
What’s the focus or activity going on in each classroom/studio?
18. Discussion: Gallery
6
A. Type/Focus
B. Quantity
C. Size
D. Open or enclosed
E. Share with lobby/circulation spaces
F. Rental considerations
G. Support Spaces
H. Equipment
I. Storage
Consider a variety of ways that the gallery space could be used.
19. Discussion: Digital
Media/Recording/Broadcast Studios
7
A. Quantity
B. Size
C. Open or enclosed
D. Share with lobby/circulation spaces
E. Rental considerations
F. Support Spaces
G. Equipment
H. Storage
I. Utilities (special considerations for
AV/IT/MEP)
Consider the spaces needed to create the work, digitize performances, and film
screenings in a variety of spaces within the facility, and broadcast beyond.
20. P OL L
To join on your smart
device / cell phone, go to
www.ttpoll.com
Enter the Session ID:
RACmeet
(not case sensitive)
It will say
“Wait for Presenter” / “Polling is Closed”
21. Poll Question #5
Public Art
Assume that this will be designed concurrent with the project and
incorporated into the planning. Do you prefer public art. . .
A. Inside
B. Outside
C. Both
D. Other
8
22. Poll Question #6
Public Art
What else should we consider?
A. Iconic
B. An experience separate from the facility itself
C. A feature integrated into the design of the facility
D. Other
9
23. What can we do or include to create a
diverse, accessible, equitable, and human-
scaled facility?
10
24. 11
What else do you feel are important
considerations for the County to respond
to this opportunity?
25. Q + A
Next meetings
Monday, March 28, 2022, 6:30 pm Focus Group: Arts Education,
Schools, Equity/Opportunity
Neighborhoods
Zoom Platform
Monday, April 4, 2022, 6:30 pm General Wrap-Up Zoom Platform
We appreciate the feedback.
Are there any further questions
we can answer?
26. Y OU
T HA N K
Feel free to email RCCContact@fairfaxcounty.gov
And check back at the website for updates:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/capital-projects/reston-arts-center
Notas del editor
Welcome by Beverly Cosham, Chair, Reston Community Center Board of Governors
Please take your seats
Restrooms are located . . .
Thank you for coming. . . .
Welcome! We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us tonight. We look forward to hearing your input on the Feasibility Phase of this exciting potential project, the Reston Arts Center! This event is the third of a series to solicit Reston and Fairfax County community input to help inform the programming and resulting cost estimate for this feasibility phase. Your feedback is crucial to help us plan and design this facility to best meet the needs of your community.
A couple of housekeeping items:
These are all public meetings that are being recorded so that people who can’t be here can view them at a later time and contribute in writing.
They will all be recorded – videotaped at the in person meetings and recorded virtually for the online meetings.
There are snacks on the side of the room – now is a great time to partake before our discussion later.
Introductions:
Thank you to Reston Community Center for hosting this event and facilitating this dialogue with the community.
And DPWES represents the County’s interest in reviewing the proffer and has considerable technical expertise with this type of capital facility development.
And we are Sue Hains and Amy Upton from Grimm + Parker Architects –a local architectural design firm that will be leading these discussions and translating what we hear from you to programming and space planning to generate a cost estimate.
A brief agenda for tonight’s meeting.
We will be taking the first 10 minutes for a brief introduction, some scene setting, and project overview.
That will leave us with a solid hour for a discussion – we have a series of questions to go through and we’d love to hear from all of you tonight in this large group.
And in the final 5-10 minutes we will wrap up, cover any final Q+A, and talk about the next focus group session.
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Bottom line – the goal of the County and the RCC is to be good stewards of public funds. Serving the entire community equitably and with high quality.
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We met with folks interested in performing arts a couple of weeks ago and here is a snapshot of some of their input results.
Tonight we are going to focus on the Visual Arts.
Please use the clickers we have for your use or your own cell phone or mobile device.
If you are using your own mobile device please use Chrome – not internet explorer to type in www.ttpoll.com
From informal gatherings to formal weddings and everything in between
Please use the clickers we have for your use or your own cell phone or mobile device.
If you are using your own mobile device please use Chrome – not internet explorer to type in www.ttpoll.com
We will have 1 more outreach meeting.
At the end of March we will focus on Arts Education, Schools, Equity/Opportunity Neighborhood on Zoom – so your pre-enrollment is important so we can get you the link.
We will conclude on April 4 with a wrap up meeting, again virtually, to confirm your community’s programmatic needs and desires for this new Reston Arts Center.
The recording of tonight’s meeting will be accessed via the Fairfaxcounty.gov website – as will a PDF of these presentation slides.
Thank you again for all of your input tonight – we are excited about this project and the opportunity to learn from you all tonight.