LONG ISLAND CITY — Local Project is staying local.
The Long Island City arts group, which launched an online fundraiser last month to raise enough rent money to stay in its headquarters at 11-27 44th Rd., successfully hit its $6,100 goal this week, several days before the campaign's deadline ends Saturday.
"It's released a lot of stress," said Local Project director Carolina Penafiel, who called the community's support "amazing."
"There was a group effort."
Local Project has been in Long Island City for more than a decade, five years of those based out of 45-10 Davis St., in the same set of warehouses that housed 5Pointz, which is set to be demolished to make way for two high-rise apartment towers.
The arts group held a similar fundraiser last year to help finance its move to the space on 44th Road, but Penafiel said the move and higher rents at its new location has made it hard for the organization to find its financial footing.
The success of the Kickstarter will allow them to cover their rent and focus on a long-term strategic plan, which includes offering workshops, exhibits and working on collaborative projects with artists.
They'll soon be offering DJ classes, lessons on how to make LED lights and website-building training for artists, Penafiel said. They're also renting out shared office space at their headquarters as a way to secure income.
Local Project will host a final "rent party" to celebrate the end of the fundraiser campaign on Friday at 7 p.m. at their space, featuring music by local DJs, hot dogs and sauces by Astoria eatery Pao & Cha Cha, bread from Tom Cat Bakery and beer from Lagunitas Brewing Company.
The party will include a $20 deal that gets you two hot dogs and unlimited beer. More information can be found here.
