MISSION

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Center for Creative Partnerships is a Conscience and Social Justice organization that promotes community involvement through the arts and humanities, including civil and human rights. One of the organization’s principal goals is to restore and maintain the long-term viability of historical, cultural, and community icons.

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The Center for Creative Partnerships is integral to the redevelopment of the City of Orangeburg, focusing on history, civil rights, the arts, and community, and is part of the Development Team chosen by the City to re-envision Railroad Corner, the historic black business district across from two historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) to include a Civil Rights Museum.  

 

The Center has secured ownership of All-Star Bowling Lanes and will preserve this important African American Heritage Site as a historic site, a community asset, and a state-of-the-art Bowling Center, creating the first Civil Rights Bowling Lanes/Justice Center, on the national African American Civil Rights Network. It will honor the victims of one of the most violent episodes in the civil rights movement, while creating a bowling center for fun and reconciliation for the community and the universities, attracting visitors from around the world. Phase I is supported by a $500,000 African American Civil Rights grant in the amount of $500,000 from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

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HISTORY

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Center for Creative Partnerships was created in the late 1990s by Ellen Zisholtz and historic preservation Architect, Craig Morrison. The first project was the development of strategic and marketing plans for restoring and operating the historic Alamo Theatre in conjunction with the Smith Robertson Museum as the centerpiece for the preservation of Farish Street as an African American Cultural/Entertainment District. Alamo Theatre restoration: Canizarro, Cawthorn & Davis Architects. A similar project followed in Charlottesville, Virginia with the restoration of the historic Paramount Theater as the centerpiece for the redevelopment of cultural Charlottesville.

 

In New York City, as Director of the Rod Rodgers Dance Company, Ellen worked with the City of N.Y. to restore a historic city building and with Cooper Square Committee, cultural groups, and area residents to preserve and develop affordable, environmentally healthy housing in conjunction with cultural spaces on 4th Street near LaMama. She developed and managed a cultural building with the 4th Street Theater in the lobby, Duo Teatro on the second floor, and Rod Rodgers Dance Company and dance studio on the third floor. Later, as Managing Director of INTAR, International Arts Relations, when Theater Row was renovated, a space was provided by the City to renovate as a theatre at 52nd Street and 10th Avenue and she supervised the early renovation.

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PURPOSE

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The purpose of the Center for Creative Partnerships is to:

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1. Serve the community and its young people by establishing educational and cultural facilities and opportunities;

2. Encourage critical thinking, creative skills, and social consciousness;

3. Assist with planning for community development focusing on history, equity, tourism, and cultural opportunities.

 

In order to carry out its mission and purpose, the Center for Creative Partnerships enters into partnerships, collaborative programs, and consultancies with individuals and organizations including cities, communities, museums, theaters, and schools.

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STRATEGY

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Since the firm works through partnerships and collaborations, we are able to select the best people and organizations for each project.

 

The Board of Trustees and Advisory Council are comprised of respected experts in a variety of fields including preservation architecture, economic and community development and encompasses civil rights heroes, community leaders, and University Presidents.

 

Center for Creative Partnerships has a successful history of using the arts and humanities for social justice and civil rights initiatives including the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer Committee; Exhibition and youth workshops at Meridian Museum of Art; Social Justice Medal in Philadelphia, MS commemorating Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Mickey Schwerner; Civil Rights Symposium at Penn Center, SC.

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CAPABILITIES

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Center for Creative Partnerships has worked in all of the arts, education, community development, community planning, and restoration of arts buildings in a variety of cities.

 

Center for Creative Partnerships is a 501(c)3 organization with successful experience in grant writing, serving on federal grant panels, and developing regrant programs.

 

Center for Creative Partnerships has successful experience working with student interns.

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