NEWS: Collar Works Breaks Ground on $2.8 Million Revitalization Project in Troy
Nonprofit Arts Organization Collar Works Begins Transformation of Historic Foundry into Creative Hub with State Support
While called a “ground breaking,” today’s event was marked not by shovels, but by ceremonial sledgehammers — swung into the wall of the former Neemes Iron Foundry — to celebrate the transformation of this historic Troy landmark into Collar Works’ new permanent headquarters.
“We wanted the hammers because it was a nod to the iron foundry and forging and marked the occasion of the rehab starting,” said Collar Works’ Executive Director Elizabeth Dubben. “That wall was just in the right place.”
The ceremony brought together local officials, artists, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate what’s being hailed as a major investment in the city’s creative future. The $2.8 million project — supported by $960,000 in funding from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) — promises to reshape the region’s cultural landscape and expand access to contemporary art.
"The Collar Works Neemes Iron Foundry project is about honoring Troy’s history while investing in its future,” Dubben noted. “By transforming this site into a space for artists and community, we’re creating opportunities that support the city’s economy, welcome visitors, and add to Troy’s cultural landscape in a way that is thoughtful and uplifting. Our goal is to build something lasting - a place where artists from across the globe, at every stage in their career can thrive, and where the care and intentionality behind the work reflects the pride we feel for this city.”
The new facility will feature a contemporary gallery, affordable artist studios, co-working spaces, a design store, retail storefronts, and community gathering areas for exhibitions, performances, and educational programming.
In addition to state support, the project is being funded through private philanthropy, grants, the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, and Sequence Development, led by developer Jeff Buell.
“Projects like this are critical to the long-term health of cities and their residents,” Buell said. “Troy is ground zero for how to rebuild an Industrial town, and this investment will bear fruit for many years to come. It is evidence that like-minded people can put their heads together and create value even in the most challenging of times.”
Founded in 2009 by a group of artists in a former collar factory, Collar Works has grown into a dynamic organization supporting emerging and underrepresented artists across the region. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2015, it has hosted more than 150 exhibitions, performances, and events featuring over 2,500 artists.
From its grassroots beginnings, Collar Works has become a key anchor in Troy’s cultural renaissance — championing artist equity and using the arts as a catalyst for community engagement and social change.
For more information, visit www.collarworks.org or follow @collarworks on Facebook and Instagram.