Transforming spaces: understanding the relationships between artists, space, and community in sites of adaptive reuse in the United States

This paper investigates the different ways that adaptive reuse is utilized as a means of space transformation in order to better understand the field and its potential for both artists and communities. Through adaptive reuse of abandoned or unused buildings, arts organizations and individuals can create new meaning and preserve history and identity for communities, as well as providing artists with opportunities and space for experimentation. The following research identifies three types of artspace transformation that adaptive reuse spaces can take. These types of transformations are defined by their goals, agency, challenges, and target audience of their space. The thesis of this research posits that artspace transformation presents great potential for both communities and artists, but that issues of agency and impact evaluation must be addressed in order to mutually benefit both groups.