The Torpedo Factory Art Center Stakeholder process concluded on February 15, 2023. To stay updated on the progress, please visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center's website at www.torpedofactory.org

Stakeholders shall be defined as: a person, group, or organization that has interest or concern in the Torpedo Factory Art Center.  

The role and responsibilities of the Task Force engaged for this process will include: 

• Develop a coherent and comprehensive approach toward expanded Vibrancy and Sustainability. 
• Develop ideas to broaden the scope of artistic expression and improve the diversity of artists in the Art Center. 
• Guide a community engagement process to solicit input and feedback on the work of the Task Force. 
• Respect process integrity and ensure that all stakeholder voices are heard and considered. 
• Use the community engagement process as an opportunity to promote participation of Art Center neighbors, non-Art Center artists, and residents in how the Art Center could benefit the community even further. 

The Task Force will work with a facilitator, staff, and consultants throughout the process and develop a recommendation to the City Manager based on this Charge of Work. 

The members of the Stakeholder Group are expected to: 

• Participate on behalf of their representative groups by sharing information both ways in this process. 
• Attend and participate fully in all Stakeholder Group meetings, in addition to attending work sessions and public hearings of the City Council as needed. If unable to attend, members are encouraged to notify staff in advance and provide comments on meeting materials in a timely manner. 

The Task Force will meet approximately once a month starting in Summer 2022 with recommendations due in mid-2023. Most meetings will be held on a weeknight (Monday-Thursday) from approximately 7-9pm. 

The stakeholder task force is comprised of 20 members; 12 positions which are appointed by representative organizations and 8 positions are available through an open application process.

In May, the representative organizations were informed to appoint an individual member to the Task Force. The City issued a citywide release in coordination with the Office of Communications and Public Information (OCPI), directly reaching approximately 15,000 residents or businesses and notified over 30 community organizations and leaders on the available opportunity.

Through May and June, the City opened applications for the two community at-large positions, two current Art Center leasing artists positions, the one Art Center post grad position and up to three at-large regional arts professionals positions.

Over 40 applications were received for the two community at-large positions, 12 applications were received for the two current art center leasing artists positions, with lesser amount of interest (less than five applications each) in the post grad participant and regional arts professionals’ positions. With this high community interest, the City increased the available community at-large positions from 2 to 4 representatives and the Regional Arts Professional representation that had an upper limit of three was kept at one representative.

In reviewing at-large applicant applications, the City considered demographic diversity, including but not limited to race, age, gender, and location and the City Manager appointed the following representatives: 

City Commissions

• Judy Heiser, Commission for the Arts
• Kristina Hagman, Waterfront Commission
• Martha Raymond, Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
• Ivy E Whitlatch, Alexandria Archaeological Commission

Torpedo Factory Art Center Representatives

• Saya Behnam, Current Torpedo Factory Art Center Leasing Artist
• Matthew Johnston, Current Torpedo Factory Art Center Leasing Artist
• Cindy Lowther, Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association
• Suzanne Bethel, The Art League
• Alan Sislen, Torpedo Factory Art Center Galleries
• Nicole Wandera, Torpedo Factory Art Center Post Grad Participant

Community Members

• Yvonne D. Callahan, Old Town Civic Association
• Charlotte A. Hall, Old Town Business Association
• Ryan Whitaker, Old Town North Alliance
• Jason Longfellow, Alexandria Arts Alliance
• Kate Ellis, Visit Alexandria Board
• Michelle Kołacz, At Large
• Peter Horst, At Large
• Melynda Wilcox, At Large
• Lyric Prince Harris, Regional Arts Professional

All meetings of the Task Force begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall (unless otherwise noted) and are open to the public. 

Meeting 1: September 12, 2022 - Kick Off & Project Introduction
Meeting 2: October 26, 2022 - Facility Improvements & Programming (at Charles Houston Recreation Center 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314)
Meeting 3: December 7, 2022 - Marketing/Placemaking (at Charles Houston Recreation Center 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314)
Meeting 4: January 18, 2023 - Governance/Financial Structure Models (at City Hall/Sister Cities Room 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314)
Meeting 5: February 15, 2023 - Final Summary and Wrap-up (at City Hall/Sister Cities Room 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314)

Meeting 1 September 12, 2022: Meeting Video and Presentation

Meeting 2 October 26, 2022: Meeting Video and Presentation

Meeting 3 December 7, 2022: Meeting Video and Presentation

Meeting 4 January 18, 2023: Meeting Video and Presentation

Meeting 5 February 15, 2023: Meeting Video and Presentation