Watts House Project

  • Year Established:1996
  • Last Updated: 12/10/2009

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Project Overview Description: Located on the E. 107th Street, centered around the historic Watts Towers, Watts House Project (WHP) is an ongoing collaborative artwork in the shape of a neighborhood redevelopment. Its goal is to transform the interiors and exteriors, front and backyards of all 20 homes on E. 107th Street. Directed by preeminent artist Edgar Arceneaux, WHP is built on cooperation between residents, artists, and architects to find creative solutions to everyday problems facing the community around the Watts Towers. along with these renovations the WHP is in the process of establishing a lease to own program, artist in residency program, resident owned cafe, social services, solar paneling and street improvements.

  • Address: 1762 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002
  • Website: wattshouseproject.org (visit site)
  • Telephone: 6262780703
  • Project Contact: Edgar Arceneaux
  • Brief Project Description (100 words): Located on the E. 107th Street, centered around the historic Watts Towers, Watts House Project (WHP) is an ongoing collaborative artwork in the shape of a neighborhood redevelopment. Its goal is to transform the interiors and exteriors, front and backyards of all 20 homes on E. 107th Street. Directed by preeminent artist Edgar Arceneaux, WHP is built on cooperation between residents, artists, and architects to find creative solutions to everyday problems facing the community around the Watts Towers. along with these renovations the WHP is in the process of establishing a lease to own program, artist in residency program, resident owned cafe, social services, solar paneling and street improvements.

Program / Development Partners

  • Public/Civil Sector: Program
  • Name: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
  • For-profit Private Sector: Development
  • Name: ForYourArt, Catherine and Jeffrey Soros
  • Non-profit Sector: Program
  • Name: California Community Foundation
  • Creative Industries Served: Visual arts

Included Space Types / Uses

  • Live/Work Spaces: Cooperative
  • Total Units(#): 1
  • Units for Broader Community(#):1
  • Total Affordable Units(#): 3
  • Units for Resident Organization(#): 1
  • Workspace Studios: Cooperative
  • Total Units(#): 1
  • Total Affordable Units(#): 3
  • Units for Resident Organization(#): 1
  • Work Space/Studios: Area (SF):n/a
  • Live-Only Spaces: n/a
  • Total Units(#): 0
  • Units for Broader Community(#):0
  • Total Affordable Units(#): 0
  • Units for Resident Organization(#): 0
  • Live Only: Area (SF): n/a
  • Gallery: Available to Public
  • Performance/Rehearsal Space: n/a
  • Dance Studio Area (SF): n/a
  • Recording Studio: n/a
  • Office Space: For Resident Organizations Only
  • Multi-Purpose Space (e.g. for Community Use): Available to Public
  • Additional Artist Amenities: Natural light
  • Describe Sustainable Strategies Employed (250 words): The WHP has established an Energy Team within the organization whose purpose is establish organic gardens watered by gray water, solar powered energy systems, storm water catchment systems and solar water heaters for every property in our redevelopment zone. We have applied for federal weatherization grants for insulation, windows, doors, new washer/dryers, refridgerators and air conditioners where needed. Additionally we are applying for the DWP free fruit tree program as well. We've made it a practice to reuse materials, just recently recycling old cement into a new permeable driveway.
  • Description of Preservation Work (50 words): n/a
  • Description of Incubation Facilities, Resources, Programming (50 words): n/a

Links / Images / Attachments

  • Community Programming: Technique or studio training/ workshops
    Community Service/Engagement Programs
    Other
    Shared: Facilities and Equipment
    Other Shared Resources
  • Professional Development & Training Services: n/a
  • Population served+
  • Total Served Per Year:
  • Technique or Studio Training/Workshops: metal working, storm water catchment systems, organic gardening, green construction
  • Population served+: Approximately 500 people, including the residents from the 22 homes on E.107th Street; WHP volunteers; and greater Watts community.
  • Total Served Per Year:
  • Other Programs: film and theatre screenings, furniture building, green construction and finishing work, community cookbook, film making workshop, arts and crafts workshop
  • Population served+: 250
  • Shared Community Resources - Facilities and Equipment: communal area for neighborhood events, staff meetings and neighborhood needs, tools for gardening and lite construction
  • Shared Community Resources - Administrative Infrastructure:
  • Shared Community Resources - Other: information on government, state, local and grass roots programs that can benefit the both families and the neighborhood