Armory Arts Project – Jackson, Michigan
The Armory Arts Project is an adaptive reuse project of a former prison into artist housing. The project was supported by The Enterprise Group of Jackson, City of Jackson, and Artspace.
We had an opportunity to visit in July 2004 and get a sense of the location before major work began. What we were greeted by were buildings in a raw abandoned state.
High ceilings and large window walls lend themselves towards ample height and lighting needed for artists.
Demonstrating the pre-vitalization tactic, large murals on the side of the building demonstrate the possibilities of the site.
Multiple buildings on the site lend themselves towards continued adaptive reuse.
The former wall and tower give a visual connection with the earlier function of the site as a prison.
For More Information
Armory Arts Village in Michigan Used to Be a State Prison. Now It’s an Arti | National Endowment for the Humanities