North Fair Oaks may get arts space

"It would great to have spaces where we can gather and tell the story of North Fair Oaks through the eyes of the artists," Gauthier said. 

After hearing directly from the arts community, “there’s always requests for more space,” Gauthier said, and unused space located in the North Fair Oaks Economic and Employment Center would be ideal to address that need.

A listening session held at the center, located at 3009 Middlefield Road, will be held Saturday morning. 

“When you can walk to programs, that’s what makes the difference,” Gauthier said. 

“When you think about the arts, it’s bringing people together, it’s fulfilling, it allows you to express yourself,” Gauthier said. “Having an outlet for the community to gather and create in a  shared space I think would mean a lot to the community.” 

Hosting this listening session before Gauthier and the county’s Office of Arts and Culture finalized exactly what may become of the space was critical, Gauthier said.  

“Oftentimes, people come in and tell them what they want to do, as opposed to stepping back and listening to better understand what would be best for the community,” Gauthier said. 

As a resident of East Palo Alto before it became an incorporated city, Gauthier said she is acutely aware of “what it was like to be in an unincorporated area and feel like you’re left out.”

“We’re trying to be intentional about spending time in North Fair Oaks, being the voice of North Fair Oaks and working to be attention and ensure the needs are being met there,” Gauthier said. 

In particular, Gauthier hopes to hear from adolescents in the community, such as high schoolers and young adults, and create a space that appeals to all. The goal is simply to make a community space that can be activated for any artistic endeavors residents are interested in, she said.

“Will they have spoken word, can they host classes, can there be drama programs? We really want to hear from the North Fair Oaks community to hear what’s best for them,” Gauthier said. 

The North Fair Oaks Economic and Employment Center hosts JobTrain and the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, two organizations helping the community feel empowered and equipped to transform their careers. Both of these services will be offered alongside whatever becomes of the future community arts center.

The shared space may even become a new means to transform artists into entrepreneurs and realize they can make a living off their passions, Gauthier said. 

“Maybe people can get to the point that someone can start their own business,” Gauthier said.  “Maybe it’s an opportunity to do just more than doing art for the sake of doing art. Maybe it can lead to different areas.” 

After gathering takeaways from the listening session, Gauthier and her staff will continue to work with the Office of Arts and Culture to make logistical and final decisions about what can come of the new community art center. 

“The biggest thing is we don’t want to come in and do things, we want to work alongside the community to ensure they’re getting what they need,” Gauthier said. 

The second of two listening sessions will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at 3009 Middlefield Road. Refreshments and child care will be provided.