Long-Running Seward DIY House Becoming Co-Op
What comes to mind when you think of Minneapolis art? For some it’s a gallery, or a concert at a bar or coffee shop. For many it’s also personal and DIY. Community venues run out of punk houses, arts co-ops, or your neighbor’s patio, are part of what makes South Minneapolis special.
One such long-running house is the Arbitrarium, a rented home on Matthews park where a slowly-evolving group of low-income artists and musicians have lived since 2010, and the site of many performances and community gatherings.
When their landlord expressed an intent to sell in late 2023, the residents decided to take a creative approach: They incorporated a housing co-operative to buy the property, and maintain it forever as low-income artist housing, and a venue for community events.
Thus the Arbitrarium Housing Cooperative was created: a non-profit with the purpose of acquiring and maintaining the property at 2200 28th Avenue South. The co-op is receiving development assistance and financing from Shared Capital, LEAF, the Kagawa Fund, and NASCO. They are also actively raising money via crowd-funding platforms and social events, and can receive tax-deductible donations through their fiscal sponsor, Community Driven.
They have support from Seward Neighborhood Group and the Matthews North Block Club, and plan on welcoming neighborhood input and accountability. These groups see the idea of the "punk house" as a viable community asset, especially when paired with cooperative organization, and are also open to supporting the creation of similar co-ops.
The sale is currently being negotiated with the seller, with a proposed closing date of September 31st. The Arbitrarium still needs community support in the form of donations, investment, and volunteers. To help or learn more, visit Arbitrarium.org, or e-mail info@arbitrarium.org.
One such long-running house is the Arbitrarium, a rented home on Matthews park where a slowly-evolving group of low-income artists and musicians have lived since 2010, and the site of many performances and community gatherings.
When their landlord expressed an intent to sell in late 2023, the residents decided to take a creative approach: They incorporated a housing co-operative to buy the property, and maintain it forever as low-income artist housing, and a venue for community events.
Thus the Arbitrarium Housing Cooperative was created: a non-profit with the purpose of acquiring and maintaining the property at 2200 28th Avenue South. The co-op is receiving development assistance and financing from Shared Capital, LEAF, the Kagawa Fund, and NASCO. They are also actively raising money via crowd-funding platforms and social events, and can receive tax-deductible donations through their fiscal sponsor, Community Driven.
They have support from Seward Neighborhood Group and the Matthews North Block Club, and plan on welcoming neighborhood input and accountability. These groups see the idea of the "punk house" as a viable community asset, especially when paired with cooperative organization, and are also open to supporting the creation of similar co-ops.
The sale is currently being negotiated with the seller, with a proposed closing date of September 31st. The Arbitrarium still needs community support in the form of donations, investment, and volunteers. To help or learn more, visit Arbitrarium.org, or e-mail info@arbitrarium.org.