| Name | Kessler |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Cuffman |
| Home Address | 6452 White Tail Dr Ooltewah, TN 37363 United States |
| Organization Name | Dynamo Studios |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | I am the founder and Executive Director |
| Organization Address | 6452 White Tail Dr Ooltewah, TN 37363 United States |
| Website | https://www.DynamoStudios.org |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 5133771293 |
| Alternate Phone Number | |
| Email Address | kcuffman@dynamostudios.org |
| Alternate Email Address | dwhitaker@dynamostudios.org |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | THE VENTURE PROJECT - A CREATIVE ECOSYSTEM FOR CHATTANOOGA The ‘Venture’ production facility will serve as a hub for all things related to creative industries in Chattanooga with a specific focus on education, higher level learning, the music industry and media production. The end goal here to is address the needs presented by the local education system, music economy, creative economy, and the needs of producers/musicians that wish to create in Chattanooga. A special emphasis will be placed on opportunities to advance educational and professional opportunities for students advancing through Dynamo Studios educational programs. This facility will house multiple recording studios, mix rooms, an iMac lab, lounges, offices, leasable agency space, co-work spaces, and a handful of on-site studio apartments. Why Chattanooga? Chattanooga is an incredible city that is lacking the resources needed to attract major artists and musicians in addition to lacking the resources to support the current producer/creative economy. There aren't any physical spaces dedicated to the very specific needs of music industry professionals. This facility solves that problem. Because this facility is removed from the stressors of major music metros, this space will allow for Chattanooga to become a destination and retreat for the creation of music. Who is this space for? - Students - Educators - Arts Organizations - Music Producers - Audio Engineers - Musicians - Agencies - Photographers - Videographers - Designers Our Vision for Professionals: We want to see local and national music industry professional better equipped and prepared to find career and financial success within the music industry at large as a result of participating in our programs and by making use of our resources and other support systems. Our Vision for Students: We want to see our programs inspiring and empowering the students of Chattanooga to become elite professionals in the creative industries or whatever respective career field they pursue, establishing Chattanooga as a hub for the creative industry and entrepreneurship. Our Vision for Bolstering the Community: We want to see our programs inspiring collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships between equipped students and local/national musicians where both grow from working together. Music industry professionals receive the services they need and students receive the opportunities needed to refine their skills so they are ahead of pack after graduating high school. Outcomes and Projections: MUSICIANS: Participating musicians will be better equipped to grow their audience and grow their brand. They will gain access to professional services and resources, at a discounted rate, that have been unavailable locally until now. Additionally, out-of-town musicians will have access to these same opportunities in the case that they need a retreat from the stressors of major music metros. CREATIVES: At present there is small handful of resources to support Creative Industry Professionals living and working in Chattanooga. The problem, however, is that the needs of Creatives are hyper specific to their respective industries. This space will fill many of the gaps in what’s currently offered in Chattanooga. Nearly every box has been checked: - Dedicated work spaces - Professional development - Resources - Expanded Marketing and Exposure - Access to our network of partners and clients THE CITY AND COMMUNITY: The city and community as a whole will benefit from having a resource that not only supports local music, but also warrants and attracts major artists from outside of Chattanooga. This will make our city much more attractive to musicians looking to record here, people interested in moving here, and to companies looking to set up shop locally. STUDENTS: Participating students will be better equipped to enter directly into the workforce or collegiate programs if they are regularly involved with programming in our space and our in school programming. Our programs will help them build the strongest portfolios and resumes in the city when compared to other third party edu organizations. Revenue and Sustainability Model The diversity in resources and spaces offered are what make this sort of model work. On their own its hard to make spaces like this successful, but when combined however, the facility will thrive and generate strong revenue. STREAMS OF REVENUE - Booked Music Studio Sessions - Booked Photo/Video Studio Sessions - Facilities Memberships - Office Leases - Studio Apartment Leases - Educational/University Partnerships - Paid Higher Education Programming - Corporate Sponsorship - Grants + Philanthropic Support "This project isn’t about one single producer or one single organization. This project is about making Chattanooga a viable option for creatives to live and work. It also creates REAL opportunity for locals that have been historically marginalized to combat cyclical poverty and systems that may have otherwise held them back. We have invested a lot of money and resources into creating significant opportunities for students in the communities we serve (we even helped open a school). This project allows for the next stepping stone in their careers while also creating an opportunity to elevate creative industry professionals across the board. We want to see Chattanooga become a hub for the creation of music and a city full of resources to benefit the local/regional music economy and the national music economy at large." - The Venture Project Team |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | The Venture Project capitalizes on one time-limited investments that catalyze lasting change in our city, while focusing on disproportionately affected communities, and maintains a clear plan to demonstrate impact. |
| Where would your project take place? | Within the downtown footprint of Chattanooga |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 5000000 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | Yes |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | Dynamo Studios is affiliated with and supported by a variety of foundations, philanthropist, |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | $4,000,000 This will cover the purchasing and renovation/revitalization of a vacant facility in Chattanooga within proximity of the students and communities that our organization serves. Funds will also cover the purchasing of equipment for the facilities and marketing. |
| If funded, when would your project start? | June 1, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | 1.5 Years |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | Success will be determined through a variety of indicators: - Student success, development, and job placement - The development and economic success of creative industry professionals and musicians - Major artists coming to Chattanooga to create on a regular basis - The expansion of creative industry programs in local schools - The development and success of partner arts organizations |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | As always, we maintain an open book policy within our organization. Outside of personal information, we are always willing to share any and all records. In an effort to promote an abundance of transparency, we will maintain accurate and robust quarterly reports informing the community and our stakeholders in the performance of this project. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | MUSICIANS: Participating musicians will be better equipped to grow their audience and grow their brand. They will gain access to professional services and resources, at a discounted rate, that have been unavailable locally until now. Additionally, out-of-town musicians will have access to these same opportunities in the case that they need a retreat from the stressors of major music metros. CREATIVES: At present there is a small handful of resources to support Creative Industry Professionals living and working in Chattanooga. The problem, however, is that the needs of Creatives are hyper specific to their respective industries. This space will fill many of the gaps in what’s currently offered in Chattanooga. Nearly every box has been checked: - Dedicated work spaces - Professional development - Resources - Expanded Marketing and Exposure - Access to our network of partners and clients THE CITY AND COMMUNITY: The city and community as a whole will benefit from having a resource that not only supports local music, but also warrants and attracts major artists from outside of Chattanooga. This will make our city much more attractive to musicians looking to record here, people interested in moving here, and to companies looking to set up shop locally. We want to see big name artists creating in Chattanooga promoting our awesome city. STUDENTS: Participating students will be better equipped to enter directly into the workforce or collegiate programs if they are regularly involved with programming in our space and our in school programming. Our programs will help them build the strongest portfolios and resumes in the city when compared to other third party edu organizations. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | We will attract additional buy-in from the community by offering a wide variety of programs and resources to help elevate and grow our local creative economy. This space is meant to put Chattanooga on the map for creative industry work. We want to empower and equip locals in addition to attracting new talent to our city. |
| Name | Matt Goldman |
| Contact Information | themattgoldman@gmail.com |
| Name | Domonique Whitaker |
| Contact Information | dwhitaker@dynamostudios.org |
| Name | Anthony Wiley |
| Contact Information | awiley@dynamostudios.org |
| Name | Calvin Tarvin |
| Contact Information | theboytiggi@gmail.com |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | This project has been developed by professionals at the top of their fields across the music industry and education industry. From Grammy winners to multi platinum record selling producers to university level consultants -- We are bringing the best of the best and highest level of expertise available to this project. |