Follow us on Facebook
Share this site
Dear Artists, Friends and Colleagues,

The Elgin Artspace Lofts will transform an historic Sears and Roebuck store in downtown Elign into an arts facility that includes 55 units of affordable live/work space for artists and their families, plus 6,000 square feet of retail and community space for arts-friendly businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Built in 1908 and most recently occupied by Elgin Community College, the old Sears store is bound on the north by DuPage Street and on the south by Fulton Street. The Artspace project will involve renovating the historic structure and linking it to a new three-story addition.
The City of Elgin and the Elgin arts community have been the driving forces behind the project, working with Artspace to plan and develop the facility. With $1.1 million in tax credits awarded to the project, construction began in October 2011, and is expected to be completed in November 2012.
How do I qualify for an affordable housing unit?
Artpace follows all federal fair housing guidelines.
The following charts provide guidelines:

![]() |
|
Download Residential Floor Plans Download Commercial Floor Plans Download Building Floor Plans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is the definition of an artist to qualify for a unit?
Artist is defined as:
- A person who works in, or is skilled in any of the fine arts,including but not limited to, painting, drawing, sculpture, book arts, printmaking, and mixed-media.
- A person who creates imaginative works of aesthetic value, including but not limited to literature, poetry, photography, music composition, choreography, architecture, film and video.
- A person who creates functional art, including but not limited to metal, textiles, paper, wood, ceramic, glass or plastic objects.
- A performer or theatrical artist, including but not limited to, singers, dancers, musicians, actors, performance artists, costume, lighting, sound, and set designers.
In all art disciplines, a designer, technician, craftsperson, teacher or administrator who is dedicated to using their expertise within the community to support, promote, present, and/or teach and propagate their art form through events, activities, performances and classes.
For more information about Artspace Projects, please visit our official website.
For more information about the City of Elgin, please visit www.cityofelgin.org.
For construction updates please visit the Shales McNutt Construction website.
Thank you!
- The Artspace Team
| In the News |
"Artspace Elgin info session reaches prospective renters" :: Daily Herald :: May 17, 2012
"Mayor Kaptain talks tax, city projects to veterans" :: My Sun Day News :: May 17, 2012
"New businesses enjoy feel of downtown Elign" :: The Courier-News :: April 6, 2012
"Stars shine at Image Awards" :: The Courier-News :: March 16, 2012
"Downtown Elgin Artspace set for Dec. occupancy" :: The Courier-News :: February 2, 2012
"Elgin Artspace project chugging along" :: Daily Herald :: January 31, 2012
"Artspace breaks ground" :: Courier News :: October 18, 2011
"Ground broken for $14.5 million Artspace Lofts" :: BocaJump Elgin :: October 18, 2011
"Elgin breaks ground on new 'artists community'" :: TribLocal :: October 18, 2011
"Elgin council votes to increase support of artist housing" :: Chicago Tribune :: July 17, 2011
"More TIF cash for Elgin's Artspace?" :: Courier News :: July 11, 2011
"Grant means full speed ahead for Elgin art co-op" :: Daily Herald :: February 8, 2011
"Elgin mayor hopeful grant for artists' co-op will come" :: Daily Herald :: April 26, 2010
"Elgin college swap land for arts, expansion" :: Chicago Tribune :: February 24, 2010




Photos left to right: Hennepin Center for the Arts, Minneapoils, MN; Read's Artspace, Bridgeport, CT; Tilsner Artists' Cooperative, St. Paul, MN; istock photo


