History of Brooklyn

In 1999, a partnership of two artists, an engineer/planner, and a real-estate broker developed the Brooklyn Contemporary Arts Center (BCAC), which was located in the Brooklyn neigborhood, at 403 Park Street, Jacksonville, Florida. The 20,000 square foot facility contained 30 studio spaces, three large galleries, and also featured a 6,000 square foot warehouse space. BCAC was loosely based upon the "Torpedo Factory" in Alexandria, Virginia, and Artspace in Raleigh, North Carolina. Over forty artists and designers operated out of BCAC. Numerous functions were held at BCAC including design charrettes, art openings and performances, all of which were open to the public. The BCAC was formally incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Florida on 12 March 2001, and was renamed the Brooklyn Arts & Design Center (BADC) to reflect our established design community. In June of 2001, BADC and its tenants, at 403 Park Street, were forced to relocate as the Florida Department of Transportation approved plans for a six-lane highway to cut through the Brooklyn neighborhood. A few days later that same month, BADC leased the bottom floor of the Florida Ballet Building, at 123 E. Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, Florida. The new facility contains approximately 5,000 square feet of studio and exhibition space. Improvements were made and now the nine studios, two galleries and conference room located at 123 E. Forsyth Street form the Downtown Campus and corporate headquarters of the Brooklyn Arts & Design Center. 

In August of 2002, a space containing eight studios and a gallery located in 2,200-sqft of an historic building, located 2360 Myra Street, was leased by the BADC and now forms the Riverside Stockton-Myra Campus.
A long list of Artists & Designers have or are using their participation in "Brooklyn" to develop themselves professionally and as a foundation to promote their careers. BADC hopes to continue to increase its membership of artists & designers, host more community events, and also to offer educational classes.