A new Oak Cliff coworking offering is preparing to launch with a discount preview week in July. Arts Mission Oak Cliff, the educational arts programming hub for kids and adults, will add a coworking space for locals, especially those with an artistic bent, in September. As a preview of what is to come, the facility is offering a trial week, from July 17-21, for $20.
Arts Mission Oak Cliff (AMOC), which is in the former Winnetka Congregation Churck at 410 S. Windomere Ave., has always intended to make coworking one of its contributions. The church was purchased in 2015 by Todd and Lola Lott, of Nostalgic Habitats, LLC, who wanted to convert the structure into an instructional arts studio, with a focus on providing arts programs for children.
They spent a year working with the city to get proper zoning, plus two years of restoration work.
Artistic director is Anastasia Munoz, a local actor and teaching artist. She and the Lotts hope that the coworking element will fill a need for the artistic community to incubate new work, collaborate, educate, and build a stronger community of artists and patrons.
Full coworking memberships will start at $100 a month, with a drop-in rate of $20 a day. Commitments are for a quarter or full year. Available options include shared work space, dedicated desks, internet, charging stations, conference rooms, a private studio, and a hospitality bar with coffee and snacks.
Members will also have access to a recording studio, movement studio, special effects studio, movement room, library, and costume shop.
"Sometimes artists need more than just a desk," Munoz says.
Coworking spaces are still relatively few in Oak Cliff. Common Desk opened an outlet on West Davis in 2015, and another is in the works at Tyler Station.
AMOC membership will offer first access to its classes, plus discounted tickets to performance art events that are held there (such as the world premiere of Caridad Svich's play De Troya, which Cara Mía Theatre Co. staged in the sanctuary this past spring).
Currently, adults can participate in donation-based yoga, the popular Beginner Beyonce Ballet, pilates, and an Artist's Way course that meets every Sunday morning. Summer camps for kids ages 6-15 include stage combat, musical theater, comedy, and Shakespeare.
The trial week will run Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm.
Arts Mission Oak Cliff is housed in what was formerly the 1929-built Winnetka Congregational Church.
