CPR  -  Center for Performance Research

CPR is located at 361 Manhattan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and will offer a singular new development for the performing arts in Brooklyn’s first L.E.E.D.-certified green building of its kind. This 4000 square foot arts facility is targeted for completion in January, 2008, and is an-artist driven initiative co-founded by Jonah Bokaer/Chez Bushwick, Inc. and John Jasperse/Thin Man Dance, Inc.  This new development aims to provide affordable space for rehearsal and performance, innovative arts programming, education and pedagogical engagement with the communities of New York City and abroad, as well as a dynamic new model for sustainable arts infrastructure in dance and performance. During a real estate climate that threatens to displace the arts from maintaining permanent and affordable space in New York City, CPR offers a pioneering approach to both civic development and fortification for dance and performance at the community level.
 
CPR is the result of artistic vision and market forces coming together.  The two founding organizations’ on-going commitment to providing outstanding resources to performing artists in order to foster the development, research, and presentation of new work plays a central role. This is met with the innovative desire on the part of a developer to harness the vibrancy of the real estate market to support the local arts community.  Developer Derek Denckla/Propeller Group, and Gregory Merryweather/Architect have envisioned the building to be located at 361 Manhattan Avenue, which they named “Greenbelt,” as a mixed-use residential and commercial condominium that will house a non-profit community arts facility on the ground floor. Greenbelt approached John Jasperse about joining the project; Jasperse subsequently approached Jonah Bokaer/Chez Bushwick, Inc., who had previous plans to launch a capital campaign toward the formation of a permanent facility. The resulting partnership formed CPR – Center for Performance Research.  Furthermore, Greenbelt is registered to be certified as a L.E.E.D. Gold project, the first private green development to do so in Brooklyn.   With this in mind, CPR will bind together a commitment to the sustainability of community arts organizations with the environment of New York City, offering a benchmark approach to urban planning for the arts.