A PROPOSAL to Redevelop the Historic Franklin School Building 925 13Th St

To: The Government of the District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 317 Washington, D.C. 20004

A PROPOSAL To Redevelop The Historic Franklin School Building 925 13th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 Square 285, Lot 808

From: The Coalition for Franklin School c/o Joseph Browne, PhD 2032 Belmont Road, Apt 405 Washington DC 20009-5415

(202) 265-1110 QuickTime™ and a decompressor [email protected] are needed to see this picture.

www.FranklinSchoolDC.org

January 19, 2010 Executive Summary

The Coalition for Franklin School calls for the return of the Historic Franklin School Building to the inventory of the District of Columbia Public Schools and its renovation and reuse for model educational and cultural purposes.

The Franklin School, designed by Adolf Cluss, Washington’s premiere architect in the post- Civil War period, was a model school from the time of its opening in 1869. As a school, Franklin brought significant prestige to the District of Columbia and to the city’s schools, representing the high level to which public schools all over the nation might strive to achieve. Thanks to its prominent location and elegant architecture, children of Presidents attended school at Franklin. We believe that the Franklin School, as a model 21 st -century school, can play a key role once again in reestablishing the reputation of DCPS as a premiere educational system in the United States of America.

In furtherance of its aims, the Coalition has created a virtual public forum for the discussion of desirable educational and cultural uses for the Historic Franklin School Building. Through its website, Facebook page, and in presentations to neighborhood groups, civic, and preservation organizations, the Coalition has solicited public input into the future of this historic and elegant public building, one of the most significant buildings in the District of Columbia. While our proposal is not a plan for commercial development, we trust that the Government of the District of Columbia will take it seriously as an expression of citizen concern in our democratic system, and desire for public development, ownership, and use of this important historic building

The Coalition would welcome public hearings by the Administration and/or Council in which individuals and organizations can voice their proposals and concerns about Franklin’s future use. To our knowledge, there has been no public input process during the city’s stewardship of this building. The need for public discussion of the use of public property in a democracy underlies our current efforts. This property was acquired for public use during the Civil War period, the building was erected at great expense by the city’s residents, and Franklin School pioneered many innovative educational programs that succeeded in building widespread support for public schools in Washington. Because of that history, its National Historic Landmark status, and its unique architectural qualities, there should be no question that Franklin School should remain in public hands.

In addition to gathering information about the history of the Franklin School and its place in local, national, and international political, cultural, and educational history, the Coalition outlines in this proposal several ideas for its future use – including a public-private partnership:

1. Educational use a. Public School use – Model 21 st Century School (remembering that Franklin School was internationally recognized in the 1870’s as a model school). Something like the very successful “School Without Walls”, which has many more applicants than can be accommodated from all over Washington, can be considered. A new high school with a special program in international and diplomatic studies, arts and music has been proposed. Ward 2, where many embassies and international organizations are located, would be the ideal location. The school district of the capital of the United States, above all, should have such a high school as other school districts in other capital cities and within this country do. b. Charter School use – also as a model 21 st century school. There is a call for the building’s use as a Chinese-language immersion school. c. A new teacher-training institution to prepare future teachers for 21st-century teaching methods and to offer in-service seminars for current teachers. Franklin School previously served a similar purpose for forty years, from 1873 to 1913. This could be combined with a model school on the premises. d. Community College space for the University of the District of Columbia; e. Classroom space on a rental basis for out-of-town universities

2. Cultural/non-profit use – taking advantage of a restored Great Hall for concerts, lectures, gallery space. a. Not-for-profit institutions with international connections. There are many in Washington and most of them currently rent space. We believe that many would be attracted by the Franklin School’s elegance, location, and historical character. b. Partial use for a museum: a museum of education was proposed in the 1980’s but never implemented. Yet, this would be an appropriate place for such a facility at a time when the nation is reexamining public education in general. Music, labor, photography, and high-tech communications are also unrepresented in the center city and would be attractive to Washingtonians and visitors alike.

3. Mixed use. Any of the above non-profit educational/cultural tenants plus a commercial client. If the building is wired as a high-tech, 21st century school, it becomes a prestigious conference space, available for rental to clients having meetings planned in Washington. We believe that a high-tech firm (e.g., Google, Microsoft, Apple) would be interested in the building’s prestigious location for a non-profit gallery where its technology could be highlighted. This could also be a way of creating a creative industries workplace, in which every former classroom would be a studio for a different creative activity. A business conference center, technology gallery, or a creative industries workplace would all serve to make Washington known as an innovator in the global 21 st century economy.

The proposed renovation and reuse of the Franklin School Building will benefit the surrounding neighborhood and the District by bringing students, parents, teachers, and community groups to the Franklin Square neighborhood on almost every day of the year. The economic and cultural effect on the neighborhood will be uniformly positive: • Families will be interested in living in this section of Ward 2 because of the attractiveness of the school’s programs. (Note: this was also the case when the school first opened in 1869.) • Small and mid-size businesses in the neighborhood (restaurants, art-supply stores, etc.) will benefit from increased foot traffic every day. • The city’s reputation as a great American city, capable of being a good steward of its historic structures and home to a revitalized public-school system will be enhanced. This, in turn, would promote the District of Columbia’s capacity for carrying out responsibilities usually associated with statehood. • The efforts of developers and the city to bring more people to live in the neighborhood will thus be enhanced, enriching the existing neighborhood fabric, where there could be a shortage of rental and condominium housing units within five years.

In submitting this proposal, we are aware that it does not meet the normal criteria for an RFP for commercial development. Nonetheless, we ask you to take action that would allow the serious consideration of our proposals and to move forward toward capturing the extraordinary opportunity at Franklin School that lies within the city’s reach.

Joseph Browne, Ph.D. The Coalition for Franklin School

Offeror Team

Key development team members: i. Day-to-day lead individual authorized to act on behalf of the Coalition for Franklin School:

Joseph H. Browne, PhD 2032 Belmont Road, Apt 405 Washington DC 20009-5415 (202) 265-1110 [email protected] ii. Capital sources

District of Columbia Public Schools, school renovation fund District of Columbia, general fund United States Congress direct funding (earmark) National Park Service program “Save America’s Treasures” United States Department of Education, Office of Education Technology Foundations such as the Bill & Melissa Gates Foundation, Pearson Foundation, and others interested in model programs in 21 st -century educational issues. Corporate funders to be approached: Google, Apple, Microsoft iii. Design team

Prominent designers, architects, and historic preservationists active on this project since 1865 include – among many others: 1865: Cluss & Kammerhueber, Architects 1869: Adolf Cluss, FAIA 1992: Richard J. Passantino, AIA 2002: Fetterman Associates and Tanya Edwards Beauchamp Associates: “Conceptual Architectural Reuse Analysis of Franklin School”

Status of the organization offering this proposal:

The Coalition for Franklin School is an ad hoc group of private citizens coming together for the purpose of identifying creative uses for the historic Franklin School Building.

The mission of the Coalition for Franklin School is the return of the Historic Franklin School Building to the inventory of the District of Columbia Public Schools and its renovation and reuse for model educational and cultural purposes.

The Steering Committee, Coalition for Franklin School consists of: Joseph L. Browne, Chair and William N. Brown, Association of Oldest Inhabitants of Washington, DC Charles I. Cassell, Former Head, Historic Preservation Review Board, District of Columbia Stephanie Cheng, Chinatown Community Cultural Center Bell Clement, George Washington University, former executive director, Historical Society of Washington, D.C. William Gilcher, Goethe-Institut Washington and Adolf Cluss Project Terry Lynch, Downtown Cluster of Congregations Theresa Sule, President of the 1330 Tenants’ Association and the Watha T. Daniel Library Friends

(institutional affiliations for identification purposes only)

The Coalition hereby affirms that there are no debarments, suspensions, bankruptcy, or loan defaults on real estate development projects and/or government contracts and that the Coalition has no tax liabilities or other government impositions.

Furthermore, the Coalition affirms that there is no ongoing litigation in which the District is a party that relates to any team member or to any other entity or individual member of the Coalition.

Team members

Contact information for primary team members:

Joseph L. Browne, Chair Coalition for Franklin School 2032 Belmont Road, Apt 405 Washington DC 20009-5415 (202) 265-1110 [email protected]

William N. Brown Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia 4425 Greenwich Parkway, NW Washington, DC 20007-2010 (202) 342-1638 [email protected]

Charles I. Cassell, FAIA 3003 Van Ness Street, NW, Suite W632 Washington, DC 20008-4835 (202) 362-0858 [email protected]

Stephanie Cheng Chinatown Community Cultural Center 616 H Street, NW, Suite 201 Washington, DC 20001-5802 (202)628-1688 [email protected]

Bell Clement 1358 Oak Street, NW Washington, DC 20010-3430 (202) 494-4014 [email protected]

William Gilcher 8916 Walden Road Silver Spring, MD 20901 (301) 495-6356 [email protected]

Terry Lynch Downtown Cluster of Congregations 1313 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005-4701 (202) 347-7015 [email protected]

Theresa Sule 1330 Seventh Street, NW, #203 Washington, DC 20001-3524 (202) 232-4522 [email protected]

The Coalition for Franklin School hereby affirms that: there is no affiliation or other relationship between any of the team members and any development company, parent company, or subsidiary; there is no personal or professional relationship among or between any team members and any person working for, appointed to a position in, or elected to an office of the District or any entity for which there may be a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict; there are no debarments, suspensions, bankruptcy, or loan defaults on real estate development projects and/or government contracts by the Coalition or any team member.

Community Benefits

Because the District of Columbia is committed to maximizing community benefits for its residents, the Coalition for Franklin School hereby argues that our concept and vision for the Development Site will integrate with and enhance the surrounding Franklin Square neighborhood

Members of the Coalition for Franklin School have met with the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2F), with the Cluster of Downtown Congregations, the Adolf Cluss Project, the Chinatown Cultural Center, the Association of Oldest Inhabitants, the Committee for the Federal City, the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Architectural History and Historic Preservation, the DC Preservation League, the National League for Historic Preservation. In addition, we have contacted Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans’ office, the Office of the Mayor, the City Administrator, and all members of the Council of the District of Columbia. We have also visited and shared an outline of the project with several adjoining businesses, e.g., Utrecht Art Supplies and Piraeus Restaurant.

Consonant with our work to date, the Coalition is committed to ensuring the meaningful involvement in the development process by stakeholders and members of the local community who might be affected by the Coalition’s project

Working within the District’s own structures, the Coalition naturally will comply with all measures relevant to maximize Certified Business Enterprises’ (“CBEs”) participation in the project.

Following the award to this project, the Coalition proposes that the Mayor, the Council, and the ANC immediately work together to organize public forums to develop strategies that will ensure the meaningful involvement of all citizens in the development process and in the public uses of the building when renovation is complete.

Project Concepts

Each of the following ideas will require additional thought to become viable, capable of being financed and implemented. They were developed as a key part of the virtual public forum created by the Coalition through its website, www.FranklinSchoolDC.org. Ideas have come from several people in the city of Washington and from as far away as Berlin, Germany:

1. Educational use a. Public School use – This is our highest priority: a model 21st Century School (remembering that Franklin School was internationally recognized in the 1870’s as a model school). Something like the very successful “School Without Walls”, which has many more applicants than can be accommodated from all over Washington, can be considered. A new high school with a special program in international and diplomatic studies, arts and music has been proposed. Ward 2, where many embassies and international organizations are located, would be the ideal location. The school district of the capital of the United States, above all, should have such a high school as other school districts in other capital cities and within this country do. See below for further details about the DC CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP (CGEL), Proposed High School for Global Citizenship and Diplomacy b. Charter School use – also as a model 21 st century school. Washington Yu Ying, the city’s Chinese-language immersion school, will be presenting a proposal. c. A new teacher-training institution to prepare future teachers for 21st-century teaching methods and to offer in-service seminars for current teachers. Franklin School previously served a similar purpose for forty years, from 1873 to 1913. This could be combined with a model school on the premises. See below for further details about the Franklin School of Education . d. Community College space for the University of the District of Columbia; e. Classroom space on a rental basis for out-of-town universities. See below for further details about the Cluss Campus .

2. Cultural/non-profit use – taking advantage of a restored Great Hall for concerts, lectures, gallery space. a. Not-for-profit institutions with international connections. There are many in Washington and most of them currently rent space. We believe that many would be attracted by the Franklin School’s elegance, location, and historical character. Rentals would accrue to the city. b. Partial use for a museum: a museum of education was proposed in the 1980’s but never implemented. Yet, this would be an appropriate place for such a facility at a time when the nation is reexamining public education in general. Other topics could also be viable museums; music, labor, photography, and high-tech communications are currently unrepresented in the center city and would be attractive to Washingtonians and visitors alike.

DC CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP (CGEL) Proposed High School for Global Citizenship and Diplomacy

Overview

Summary The DC Center for Global Education and Leadership (CGEL) is a nonprofit organization which promotes high quality, systemic global education in DC Public Schools (DCPS) to ensure that all students, regardless of income or social circumstance, are prepared for responsible global citizenship in the 21 st century. CGEL is currently working with its partner organizations and interested individuals to develop plans for a new internationally themed DC public high school, tentatively named the High School for Global Citizenship and Diplomacy . The school would be designed to provide students with strong academic preparation for college and for global career opportunities in the DC area and elsewhere. The proposed school would capitalize on the unique identity of the city as a world capital, and would benefit from the involvement of a wide array of government, embassy, multilateral, NGO, academic, business, cultural, and other locally available resources.

Background The idea for the High School for Global Citizenship and Diplomacy grew organically out of the global education work of DCPS and its partner organizations. During the summer 2003 the DCPS Office of International Programs sponsored a Ralph Bunche Scholars Summer Institute in connection with the centenary of the birth of Ralph Bunche. This 3-week summer program, which exposed 18 DCPS high school students to international diplomacy through the life of Bunche, created an opportunity to partner with academics, government officials, retired diplomats, and business people who were extremely interested in the idea of bringing international education to high school students in the District of Columbia. The program was so successful that many expressed interest in continuing the program on a more sustained basis, and the idea of a high school of diplomacy emerged. CGEL is continuing the work of the Office of International Programs to develop a high school proposal.

Rationale Increasingly, leaders in the government, business, and education sectors are making the case that K-12 schools must equip students with the global knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences that will prepare them for careers in our rapidly globalizing economy and for the demands of life in a diverse global society. Washington, DC is uniquely positioned, with its concentration of internationally oriented organizations and resources (federal agencies, embassies, museums and cultural institutions, business, multilateral organizations, think tanks, NGOs, universities), to provide students with rich opportunities to learn about and engage in the wider world. In addition, the city offers a unique range of exciting and important global careers, including those related to foreign policy, diplomacy, national security, economic development, and other specialized international fields. Given these advantages, Washington, DC should be a national leader in the increasingly important field of K-12 global education, and creation of a specialized High School for Global Citizenship and Diplomacy would be an important element of that work.

The Franklin School Because of the school’s mission and the unique nature of its academic program, it will be essential that it be located proximate to the concentration of international resources in the downtown area. The beautiful, historic Franklin School would be a dream location. In addition to its downtown setting, the school offers much in the way of symbolic value:

• The building was designed by a German-American architect and represents the value of international connection and exchange. • The school was built as an exemplar of socially progressive education reform. • Ben Franklin, for whom the building was named, is widely considered to be the nation’s first citizen diplomat.

Description The proposed High School for Global Citizenship and Diplomacy would provide the core curriculum with the full complement of courses required for graduation in DCPS. Global content would be infused across the curriculum. Because of the extra courses and enrichment activities required, the school would have an extended school day, Saturday courses, and a summer program. The school program would include:

Advanced and intensive language instruction leading to AP exams Extra social studies classes in such subjects as international affairs, US diplomatic history, area studies, human rights/international law, peace studies An economics requirement Opportunity for an area studies or topical focus Strong emphasis on reading, written and oral communication Technology and multimedia training International videoconferencing and global school linkages Cross cultural competencies 21 st century skills, including problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking, media literacy Training in conflict resolution and diplomacy, including use of simulations Model UN and other international simulations Internships, summer jobs in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, embassies, etc. International service learning and strong commitment to global engagement Collaboration with area universities to allow students to take college classes for credit and to create pathways for students to enter into area international studies undergraduate programs International travel Mentoring through partner organizations Frequent guest speakers and visiting international teachers Community events, field trips Exchange students from other countries

We envision the school as a magnet program, drawing students from across the city, reflecting the diversity of the city’s student population. Admissions would not be based on academics; instead, the school would seek students interested in the school’s program, and committed to fulfilling the school’s more rigorous requirements. We will consider the feasibility of also creating a middle school feeder program, either as part of a 6-12 school, or as a separate school or schools.

Staffing The teaching staff would consist of educators from DCPS with strong interest and background in international education. In addition, teachers for specialized courses could be recruited from the ranks of current and retired diplomats and other experienced professionals. International guest or exchange teachers can also be hired for language instruction or other purposes. Strong linkages with universities would allow access to university courses, and open opportunities for graduate student placements at the school for purposes of teaching specific modules and mentoring. The school would have a very strong program of professional development, which would augment the standard DCPS requirements. This would include externships, international travel, and invitations to events and programs offered through partner organizations.

Partners/Advisory Board The High School of Global Citizenship and Diplomacy will put together a stellar advisory board, to include current and former diplomats, as well as a roster of committed partner organizations which we expect would include government agencies, such as the US State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Education, US Institute of Peace, and Peace Corps; United Nations; World Bank; area universities, such as Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, George Washington, American University, University of Maryland, George Mason, UDC; embassies; international businesses; think tanks, research institutes, and nongovernmental organizations.

Funding Significant private funding and donated services will need to be identified to supplement local school funds. We hope that this new school will be part of the Asia Society’s International Studies Schools Network, which provides some supports to its network schools across the US. Funds will be raised from foundations, individuals, and government grants.

For further information or to get involved, contact Sally Schwartz at [email protected] .

From coalition member Dr. David Salter:

The Franklin School of Education

1. The need for a better public school educational system in Washington DC has never been greater. While DCPS scores may have increased very slightly in 2009, so have the scores of the rest of the nation. Washington DC remains with the worst scores in the country. (1) 2. Washington DC has 110 hotel properties and 27,500 hotel rooms. The Greater Metropolitan Washington Region has 600 hotel properties and 95,000 hotel rooms with 18 properties currently under construction to be completed in 2010. It is questionable that there is a pressing need for another hotel at the site of the Franklin School. (2) 3. Although more money is spent per student in Washington D.C. than in any other school system in the country, annual evaluations of academic performance consistently place DC at the bottom of the country. 4. The entire educational process in Washington needs to change and evolve in a way that is incremental, intelligently guided by research, the thoughtful application of old theories and the development of new ones. 5. Creating the Franklin School of Education has the potential to do the following:

• Preserve the building respecting the National Register and HPO restrictions • Honor the architect (Adolf Cluss) who designed the school, which opened in 1869 • Minimize the amount of restoration and reconfiguration required to create a school of the future in a building designed to function as a school of the past • Create a Teachers’ School of Education to train teachers to effectively meet the unique needs of Washington D.C. students • Develop an Education Research Institute within the Franklin School of Education whose mission is to continuously assess data and novel approaches to education within the DC School system. Results would be immediately available and applicable to not only the Washington School system but to any other school system in the nation. • Create a living curriculum based on the needs of students in the Washington DC public school system as identified through research in education • Within the Franklin School of Education there would be training programs for K-12, Undergraduate and Postgraduate education teachers. • A new pathway would be developed for current teachers for recertification or to studying freestanding modules of value to individual careers. • Become the home to an Office of International Education that would connect to highly respected educational “think tanks” and Institutes around the world to share “best practice principles” and to work collaboratively on research projects. • Create an Office of Technology in Education dedicated to research in the application and development of learning and teaching technology. • In parallel with the geographic fulltime faculty and students there would be a Franklin School of Education Online Curriculum dedicated to the needs of practicing teachers across the country. This college would provide a nationally recognized certificate of competence in specific areas of study. • Teach a group of 160 highly selected DC students (40 per year)

References

1. http://washington.org/about-washington-dc

2. 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress at Grades 4 and 8

3. http://www.oecdilibrary.org/oecd/sites/health_glance-2009-en/02/04/g2-04-01.html (the highest obesity rate in the world) From coalition member Stephen J. Ackerman:

A Cluss Campus: Franklin School Academic Center

An alternative vision of Franklin School is a facility shared by institutions of higher learning, for short, a Cluss Campus. The idea is for the city to lease space to various universities, colleges, and other advanced learning and cultural institutions that would benefit from a facility and presence in downtown Washington, particularly in such a distinguished setting. Dedicated office space and use of lecture rooms could be arranged, along with occasional use of the large theater space for graduations and special events, would be attractive to many institutions. Local institutions like the (formerly USDA) Graduate School and universities perhaps desiring a downtown presence — Marymount, George Mason, American, and others come to mind — could find value in a restored Franklin School. After all, it started as a primary school and became a high school. It might now reach the university level. Such use is compatible with use by the University of the District of Columbia, raising its visibility at an important juncture in its development.

International cultural institutions, often affiliated with embassies, are potential clients. All interested in Adolf Cluss are aware of Germany’s Goethe-Institut, but France, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Italy, and many other nations maintain such programs here as well. Another constituency includes universities nationwide. For instance, Marquette maintains a large townhouse on East Capitol Street, USC an office building, Appalachian State a residential facility. How many others might value a Washington presence or Washington semester option? To those not here yet, it would allow an attractive alternative on the order of junior year abroad.

Washington has allure to students nationwide. Programs importing students for DC immersion like Close-Up thrive. Franklin School redeemed could be a magnificent magnet, drawing many into our splendid city beyond-the-mall, persisting in its academic birthright, and remaining accessible to the public. Done thoughtfully, a Cluss Campus in time could also be a money- maker for the District of Columbia and pay off any bonds that might be floated to renovate the building. From coalition fan François Smit:

Franklin School Center for Creative Industries

A cultural center that services and supports the needs of the Creative Industries and supports artists as generators of economic growth in a) finding jobs, b) getting their jobs done, c) furthering their education, d) supporting the promotion of these artists.

This is how it could work:

Artists of the different areas (performance, figurative, literary etc.) join a sort of Co-op. They become Members of the School, with a card and a membership number.

Here are some hypothetical examples:

1. I am a painter, and I need to prepare a website so that I can publicize my works a little more. I do not know exactly how to do this, so I go to the Franklin School. There, the administration has contacts to Lawyers who work with the co-operative. These lawyers are specialized in copyright issues. With my membership card, I go to these lawyers and (ideally at reduced rates) can talk to the lawyer how best I can ensure my copyright on my new website. After this, I go back to the school - and ask for a list of contacts of Website programmers (also members, or people who work with the school). I go to them, and they have a few ideas about how best to make my website, and go at it. On the website, there are also the dates of my next exhibition, which will be held at the school. At the end of the month, I get an account for the services I used over the school - and my website is finished, done, and I am preparing my exhibition.

2. I have a car dealership, and I would like to make a short advertisement for the local TV station for my car company. Whilst doing so, I would like a new concept for all my posters, and advertising. I contact the Franklin School, and they put me in touch with some of their members that could be of help to me. Smaller TV production companies, design companies, actors and even a composer to compose my new jingle. I organize for them all to meet, and explain the pitch they should prepare for me... This is however only one possibility to get this all done. I could also simply tell the school what I want, and ask them to prepare the pitch for me - and in the end I simply get my invoice from the school, which - because it is a cultural institution of further education etc. gets reduced taxes for me... So even as a non-member I can use the administration of the arts center as a support pillar.

3. I am a musician, and I am preparing for an audition. The call for the auditions I read on the website of the Franklin School, where they have a complete list of things happening for all the arts areas. I rent a practice room from the School for the time, and am very happy that it is possible for me to practice on a Grand Piano, before I hit the Audition piano.

The Administration of the School is occupied in physical offices on site. There is a speciality office, for each area of the Creative Industries - be it Creatives (Artists, Actors, Musicians), or Creative Economists (Fashion, TV Production, Websites). The members are all represented with a small profiler page and is also available on the website, searchable, and manageable. The department responsible for Actors for example, knows exactly when all auditions for theatre, castings for TV etc. take place in the area, and keep the members informed. The same counts for musicians, dancers etc. Also when deadlines are for applications for schools and other grants.

Also, divided into the four months, there is an “Artist in Residence Program” at the Franklin School. For that period, an exhibition, concert or workshops are organized with the artist who currently holds the seat. Per Trimester, it is always an artist from a different field. For example January - April: Music, May - August: Photography; September - December: Acting. The field changes every four months, depending on the needs and the interests of the members. The Residency program is also organized by the Administration - in close collaboration with the “Friends of the Franklin School” organization, who find money for the school.

There are practicing rooms at the school, there are one or two studios for painting - there is a dark room for photographers, all the equipment and the facilities can be rented by members and non-members, naturally members pay reduced rates. There is also an office for the members, where they can use a computer, make DVD copies, or photocopies, or simply use the fax machine or the very good color printer.

Looking at the drawings of the rooms in the Franklin School, I thought the basement would be ideal for the photography and practicing rooms, the first floor for the different offices, and the Great Hall upstairs is an ideal area for concerts and exhibitions. All the other rooms can be used for these other different facilities I have explained.

What would the program look like? Depending on the artist in residence, and the current programmatic emphasis of the Franklin School, each trimester, the program changes accordingly. Imagine an architect currently is writing his PhD, and has been named the “AiR”, the Artist-in-Residence - the main focus of that trimester would be Architecture. With photographic exhibitions about architecture, seminars and get-togethers for local architects. The “AiR” architect would give talks at different events also organized or held for/by the “Friends of the Franklin School.” In the next trimester, the "AiR" is a dancer, meaning that automatically, there is a new emphasis laid on Dance for that trimester.

So all in all, the center should be more of a physical help and support for local creative people; not something where these people merely work on their projects next to each other and pay rent - but where real, physical support is given to the creative community.