Corcoran Gallery of Art Randall School Shelter Response

December 10, 2004–

RANDALL SCHOOL AND THE CORCORAN
The Corcoran Gallery of Art is contracted to buy the Randall School in Southwest Washington from the D.C. Government for $6.2 million.

The creation of a multi-purpose cultural center under the aegis of the Corcoran will have a powerful and positive resonance both for the immediate community and for the city and region.

The 150,000 square foot facility will provide short-term interim space for both the museum and the college during the construction of the new Frank O. Gehry wing at the 17th Street museum location and will become an important permanent expansion space for the institution.

In addition to providing additional studio space for the College, this facility will serve as a permanent home for many of the Corcoran’s community-based art programs and will contain private studios and exhibition space for local and working artists.

CURRENT STATUS
As of this writing, the sale is under consideration by the D.C. Council Committee on Economic Development. The final sale will be voted on by the City Council of the District of Columbia.

HISTORY
Since its inception, the Randall School shelter has always been considered a "temporary" facility. The presence of the shelter has rendered the entire building permanently uninsurable, placing all of its occupants at risk. Catholic Charities, the previous shelter manager, described the facility as dangerously sub standard and testified before the subcommittee on Human Rights, Latino Affairs and Property Management that they wanted the shelter moved.

To provide greater personal safety and improved social services to the individuals previously served by the Randall School shelter, the city has spent more than $2 million to renovate the modern facility at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. This new location includes many modern amenities unavailable at the Randall School site, including a rehabilitation center.

MEDIA COVERAGE CLARIFICATION
Media coverage of the young advocates protesting the closing of the Randall Shelter in the Southwest has consistently neglected to note that the shelter represents only six percent of the 150,000 square foot former Randal School building.

The balance of the facility is occupied by working artists, arts education programs and community organizations that provide an important neighborhood asset and are an energetic and community-oriented component of Ward 6.

:: View images and further details from this exhibition

CONTACT:
Kristin Guiter
Manager of Media Relations
(202) 639-1867,
kguiter@corcoran.org

Media Resources:

Advance Exhibition Schedule

Archived Press Releases