The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC), in collaboration with The Gold Family and its partner, Hedgehog Holdings, seeks to activate Hillsborough’s historic Eno River Mill through the arts, providing a critical need for the creative community of Orange County, as well as generating economic impact for the surrounding area. This undertaking will take place in phases, beginning with move-in-ready studio spaces, and eventually providing performing arts space, arts-retail space, and a variety of maker spaces.

2. Primary Needs of our local
arts ecosystem:
A stronger Local Arts Agency (OCAC)
PHYSICAL SPACE
 Increased accessibilty to the arts

3. Why Hillsborough?
o Supportive, pro-arts community
o Location – accessible from
Triangle and Triad
o Growth!

4. 2015
Hedgehog
Holdings,
managing
partner
1988
Aqcuired by the
Gold Family
1897-1984
Yarn and fabric mill.
Employed 600
people who lived in
148 nearby mill
homes.

5. Current Eno Mill businesses
compliment the arts!

6. Hedgehog Holdings
A Raleigh-based historic property development
and leasing company. Prior mill projects include:
GLENCOE MILL: BURLINGTONFARREN’S STABLE: D.C. PILOT MILL: RALEIGH

7. Hedgehog Holdings
o Only manage properties they own
o Only own properties on the National Register of
Historic Places/Historic Sites
o Offers below-market rates to nonprofit
organizations for the benefit of the community.
o 80% tenant retention rate

8. Inspiration
The Goat Farm
_________________________________
Atlanta, GA
Visual & performing arts
center in 19th century
warehouse buildings

9. Inspiration
The Torpedo Factory
_________________________________
Arlington, VA
Visual arts studios and
galleries. Sees more than
500k visitors a year.

10. Inspiration
Plant Seven
____________________________________
High Point, NC
New “center for design,
culture, and innovation” in
former hosiery mill.

11. Inspiration
River Arts District
_________________________________
Asheville, NC
Studio village in former
railroad buildings.
Generated a self-sustaining
economy with breweries,
restaurants and shops.

12. Phase 1: Art Mill Studios
o 2,970sf for up to 13 artists
o Affordably priced
o Includes exhibit space
o Move-in ready

13. Phase 1: Art Mill Studios
o Keep money local
o Provide new patrons for West
Hillsborough businesses through
receptions and open studio tours
o Artists = increased property value

14. Phase 2: Studio 29
o 3,300sf of open space to
be used for classes, events,
and exhibits
o OCAC to seek grant
support for seed funding

15. Phase 3: The Arts Mill

16. Phase 3 Possibilities
o Mid-size performing arts/film space
o Rehearsal space for community-based
performance groups
o Community maker-space: ceramics
studio, foundry, woodworking studio

17. Phase 3: Possibilities
o Art supply retail space
o Expanded class space
And…
ARTIST HOUSING!

18. Phase 3: The Plan
Work with ArtSpace (Minneapolis) on
Concept Development & 15-year budget
forecast
 Launch Capital Campaign with involved
community partners

19. Prioritizing
CREATIVITY
for the
CHARACTER & GROWTH
of Orange County

20. QUESTIONS?
Katie Murray
Director, Orange County Arts Commission
kmurray@orangecountync.gov
919-245-2335