Orchestrating Community: Revitalizing East Frederick through a New Hub for the Arts

Abstract

This thesis intends to explore placemaking through the introduction of a community arts center. As a historic city filled with art, festivals, and musicians, Frederick is well-known as a trendy destination. The city and its surrounding suburbs host several public venues designated for art performances and individual private lessons; however, the city itself lacks a unified artistic identity and a physical expression of Frederick’s arts culture. The city needs a central, accessible hub for ensemble music and public performance and exhibit space for beginners or small groups that, together, make up Frederick’s arts culture. The thesis examines an artistic hub which includes education, performance, and mixed-use residential spaces for creators to learn, perform, live, and collaborate. Utilizing survey-derived community desires and needs as a design driver, the thesis will study placemaking and investigate the artistic identity of Frederick to strengthen the city’s designation as an Arts & Entertainment District.