Building a Home for Jacksonville’s Creative Class

Building a Home for Jacksonville’s Creative Class

Everyone is creative—we just need the space to prove it.

Bespoke House isn’t just a gallery or coworking space. We are the home of Jacksonville’s Film Coast Creative Class: a nonprofit arts hub where collaboration, entrepreneurship, and cultural production thrive. With over 50 active members and a support network of 3,000 creatives, we’ve outgrown our current space—and we’re ready to build a bigger future.

Why We’re Fundraising

Our goal is to raise $200,000 through our GoFundMe campaign and summer membership drive to secure a new 38,000 sq ft campus. This historic school property includes classrooms, media labs, offices, and a 4.5-acre footprint for expanded events, immersive experiences, and live/work artist residencies.

The Creative Class Needs a Cultural Campus

  • Classroom studios that become private workspaces for our members
  • Residency suites to provide affordable live/work options
  • Immersive production facilities for virtual and in-person art events
  • Sports courts and outdoor installations for creative recreation


How We’ll Fund It

We’ve structured our plan into three phases:

Phase 1: Summer Membership Drive + Donations

  • Goal: Secure the first year of operations with $200,000 in grassroots funding
  • 1,000 Patron Members at $200/year = Initial Funding
  • 333 Artisan Members at $100/month (6-month commitment) = Initial Funding

Phase 2: Residency & Studio Placement

  • Classrooms converted to studios & suites ($500–$1,250/month)
  • Facility becomes self-sustaining by year two through space rentals & services

Phase 3: Program Growth & Sponsorship

  • Sponsorships for livestream shows and immersive productions ($150–$1,500/month)
  • Gallery and building naming rights ($7,500/year)
  • Grants, events, and educational partnerships

Proof of Concept: It’s Working in Jax

We’re not alone in this. The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville activated over 3,000 artists and 3,300 vendors in 2022, with $3.9 million in city-backed grants generating over $103 million in economic impact. Local spaces like the Phoenix Arts District, CORK, and The Arts Center have proven the demand for permanent creative campuses in Jacksonville—and they’ve received both public and private support to expand their impact.

We’re following their lead, but doing it from the ground up—grassroots-first and artist-led. Our project aligns with the 2023 ACE Committee’s Financial Review, which called on city leaders and nonprofits to reclaim “money left on the table” through underutilized grant, trust, and private capital opportunities. The report outlines dozens of paths we’re already pursuing, from municipal redevelopment credits to private-nonprofit partnerships that empower cultural districts like ours to thrive.

Why It Matters

We’re here to #CancelTheStarvingArtist. Bespoke House is building a new creative economy—one where artists are paid fairly, resources are shared, and collaborative spaces uplift the community. Whether you’re a patron, artist, sponsor, or dreamer, there’s a place for you here.

Ways to Support

Help us build Jacksonville’s first creative campus for the next generation. Let’s make this the decade we finally prove that artists belong in the budget.

Back to blog