Contact: Michael Armanno
Email: BespokeHouse904@gmail.com
Phone: 904-345-0513
Website: BespokeHouseJax.com
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Bespoke House, a nonprofit creative business incubator, has announced its official campaign to secure and transform the historic Old Daily Record Building into a flagship creative economy hub for Jacksonville. Located behind the Florida Theatre in the heart of downtown, the 8,500 square foot landmark would become a working space for artists, a training ground for creative entrepreneurs, and a platform for economic empowerment.
As part of the campaign, Bespoke House is presenting a formal proposal to the building’s owner and rallying community support through operational grants, advertising partnerships, private sponsorships, and membership expansion. This initiative aligns directly with the findings of the ACE Committee Report under Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration, which calls for urgent investment in artist infrastructure and creative workforce development.
Sponsorship Opportunities & Upcoming Gala
To help fund this endeavor, Bespoke House is hosting a high-impact fundraising event:
Break Room: Severance-Themed Dinner Gala
December 22nd, 2025 at The Grand Downtown
Dress Code: Corporate Core Meets Creative Rebellion
The organization is offering 12 table sponsorships at $2,000 each, which will directly fund lease activation, buildout, and programming within the new space.
Sponsors will also receive recognition in Bespoke House’s upcoming inaugural magazine publication, livestreamed events, and branded creative productions.
Inside the Proposed Daily Record Facility
This headquarters will be a transitional launch point for Jacksonville’s next wave of artist-owned business. The space will include:
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Master Artisan Suites (live/work units for full-time creatives)
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Patron-level coworking memberships at just $20/month
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A member-operated gallery and gift shop
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Workshops on financial literacy, grant writing, marketing, and business development
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Production labs for apparel, printing, livestreaming, and podcasts
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Public-facing exhibitions, fundraising events, and partner activations
“This is where we cancel the starving artist myth,” said Michael Armanno, Executive Director of Bespoke House. “We’re building infrastructure for real creative careers, and we’re doing it inside a building that once printed Jacksonville’s stories. Now we’ll make space for hundreds more.”
Long-Term Vision: Westside Expansion at Wesconnett Elementary
The Old Daily Record Building is the starting point, not the finish line.
Bespoke House is also proposing a long-term redevelopment plan for the former Wesconnett Elementary School on Jacksonville’s Westside. This potential future campus will serve as a large-scale creative workforce facility focused on:
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Affordable live/work housing for artists
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Youth and family programs in under-resourced neighborhoods
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Business incubation for media, arts, and apparel ventures
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Expanded access to education, mentorship, and economic opportunity
Wesconnett represents a vital opportunity to close equity gaps in space, access, and creative careers for residents on the Westside while continuing to grow Jacksonville’s cultural and economic footprint.
Why It Matters Now
Jacksonville’s creative class accounts for between 9% and according to data reported by Bloomberg, it could be more than 27% of the metro workforce. The city is filled with artists, designers, educators, musicians, and storytellers, but the infrastructure to support them remains limited and fragmented.
The ACE Committee’s 2023 findings identified millions in potential creative economic impact calling it “money left on the table” without proper investment. Bespoke House is answering that call with a practical, scalable, and immediate solution.
Get Involved
To sponsor a table, advertise, become a member, or donate to the campaign:
?? www.gofundme.com/f/bespokenfor
Sponsorship packages, media kits, and grant partner opportunities are available upon request.
Email BespokeHouse904@gmail.com or visit
www.bespokehousejax.com/blogs/news/sponsor-the-break-room
About Bespoke House
Bespoke House is a nonprofit creative cooperative headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Its mission is to equip artists and creative professionals with the tools, mentorship, and market access they need to build sustainable businesses. Through workshops, media production, live events, and residencies, Bespoke House empowers the creative class to thrive and shows that art is not just expression, it’s economic power. https://share.google/uJKIMn6StVysZr5zt