HELP US FUND THE HATCH!

What is The Hatch?

Mississippi's first non-profit Creative Business Incubator that will foster the growth of the Creative Economy in Midtown Jackson.  

The Hatch is not only shaping up to be a hub for creative start-up businesses, but has the potential to be a truly transformative development for creative culture in the Jackson area.  It will complete the Midtown Cluster of Creative Economies in Mississippi that promotes hands-on assistance for creative entrepreneurship, education, collaboration, shared resources and live/work space.  It’s a place where people can WORK, SHARE, GROW, SHOW AND LIVE their disciplines.

The Hatch is one of two facilities owned by Midtown Partners and co-managed by Millsaps College's Entrepreneurship Initiative (ELSEWorks).  Together we operate the Midtown Cluster of Creative Economies with The Hatch and The Hangar.  The Hangar is home to four art studios and a demolition business and warehouse that hosts various events such as the Stray at Home Art Market and the Priced to Move art sale.  With space fully occupied at The Hangar, we need to make more room at The Hatch. 

Why Should you Fund The Hatch?

We are ready to foster the next generations of creative entrepreneurs but the code officials won’t let us move people in!  

We need YOUR help finishing our building.

We believe that supporting small business growth and promoting creativity is vital as young professionals emerge into an economy that’s different than ever before.  Competing in globalized markets, making smart business investments and establishing solid business plans and marketing strategies are imperative to a business’ success, but few with the vision and innovation to start a business have those skills.  The Hatch will provide the guidance and workspace needed to refine tactics, test products and promote initiatives to excel in this volatile world of business.

People are lining up for space in Midtown! Energy is high and we’ve got momentum as a creative community.  Midtown Partners needs YOUR help to get more space ready for these ambition creatives.  In Mississippi, we have a creative economy that is used to do doing lots with a little, bartering, and sharing, but when it comes to building code officials, that volunteerism can only go so far.  The building needs demolition, electrical and mechanical upgrades, and some work to complete the work spaces.

The Hatch that will provide:

• Up to 12 Studios/offices for Individual businesses or entrepreneurs 

• Business consultation from Millsaps College's Entrepreneurship Initiative

• Shared Commission Free Gallery Space 

• Conference Room with Equipment

• Classroom for community workshops

• Community Ceramics Studio

• Shared storage, kitchenette and technical equipment

• Warehouse/Industrial space

Photo: FIGMENT 2013, community painting project. (jackson.figmentproject.org)

The Hatch will give back by:

• Offering classes to residents, both young and old;
• Establishing a mentorship program for the neighborhood Middle School;
• Training the next generation of creative professionals;
• Offering shared resources and space to the greater Jackson area.

What will we do with the money?

Help us build our community spaces in The Hatch!

Our $25,000 goal will help us meet our fundraising needs to build out the existing warehouse.  Since 1999, the goal has been to build this building out as an incubator and in the last 10 months we’ve gained more momentum than ever before.  We’ve made so many strides, but we still have hurdles to cross. 

With the money we will:

• Complete our Gallery and Conference Room - The shared conference and gallery will allow members and tenants to host meetings, gallery exhibitions and other events. 
• Launch our Community Arts initiative - Each tenant will teach classes to the community in exchange for low cost overhead and business assistance. The Jackson Neighborhood Arts Center will assist in designing civic projects, public art installations and technical skills training.  

When these spaces are complete, we will be able to begin to generate revenue and offer classes and workshops to residents and the greater Jackson area. 

Repairs made so far:

• We’ve fixed the roof,
• Replaced the front corner of the building,
• Removed moldy walls and ceilings,
• Scrapped up tile,
• Completed schematic architectural designs.

Photo: Demolition of existing wall that was damaged and dangerous.

Photo: Unfinished gallery space with our newly renovated wall built by Midtown craftsmen and reclaimed wood.

In addition to the conference room and community arts center, we will also be required to upgrade the electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, make upgrades for handicap accessibility, build out studio spaces and complete site work.  If we exceed our goal, we will tackle this list.

Our Gratitude for Support

Our gratitude for your tax-deductible donation will come in the form of products Made in Midtown.  We will partner with the many artisans in the area to produce custom mementos. We will also offer events, and memberships to The Hatch and recognition in many forms.

Prototypes are in the kiln for our Up-cycled glass windows at The Hatch.  Broken glass has been claimed from windows and furniture around Midtown.  The windows will be fabricated by Whitney Grant, Director of The Hatch, in Collaboration with Andy Young, Owner of Pearl River Glass Studio.  Donors of $500 or more will receive glass works made from this collaboration.

Grant first started experimenting with recycled glass as a building material as an architecture student in 2007.  Young allowed her to do research to complete her degree at Pear River Glass Studio in 2008 and still acts as a mentor today.

A true "Made in Midtown" collaboration....

A sponsor has promised to match our funds if we reach our goal of $25,000,

which will allow us to have enough money to go to the bank to finish construction.  The more we raise, the more affordable the space will become for the creative entrepreneurs that find their home in The Hatch.  

What if we don't reach our goal?

Every little bit helps!  While we have a great deal of repairs to be made, everything we raise will get us closer to our goal. We have a list of everything we need and will start building on our next step no matter how much we raise. 

What kind of Impact will this have?

The Hatch will not only provide for business growth in the creative sector, but it will impact all 3000 residents on Midtown and support its 2 neighborhood schools.  

Other Ways You Can Help

• Volunteer to cleanup, paint or garden;
  
• Donate tools, paint, or building materials;
  
• Donate computers, plotters, laser cutters, C&C Routers or other equipment;
  
• Donate art supplies;
  
• Share our campaign!
  

What is Midtown's Creative Economy?

• The Hatch is a piece of a much larger picture of neighborhood revitalization.  The Hatch is located in Midtown, the landlocked heart of Jackson Mississippi, a neighborhood with a distinct reputation of active citizens concerned with advancing the quality of education, successful neighborhood revitalization and development efforts, and a nesting ground for the creative economy.
  
• Millsaps Arts District established in the 1970’s 
  
• It's home to  glass artists, carpenters, welders, digital artists, film makers, photographers, etc.  
  
• There are over 50 businesses and more than 40 working artists in the neighborhood.
  
• The Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi Arts Commission named Midtown as THE pilot communities for the growth of the creative economy in MS. 
  
• Occupancy rates run at around 100% for studio space in Midtown.
  
• The Business Association of Midtown (BAM), Midtown Partners Inc, and Millsaps College Else School of Management (ELSEWorks) partner to through a number of outlets to expand the district’s growth. 
  
• Midtown Partners is working with the Arts District in conjunction with neighborhood organizations and to ensure that affordable housing and economic opportunities are increasing for the neighborhood residents, as well as for the artists, moving into the area.