Salt Lake City (June 30, 2016) – After eight years of calling the Rio Grande neighborhood home, on August 1, Spy Hop Productions will be opening their doors to youth in a new location— 669 South West Temple, in Salt Lake City. “We are very excited to be moving into the School Improvement Network building. It is a dynamic and supportive environment and, most importantly, a safe space for our students,” said Program Director Matt Mateus. Spy Hop will be at this location for the next two years while it builds a new facility for the organization in the Central 9^th district of Salt Lake City.

Spy Hop was recently awarded the opportunity to develop land currently owned by the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency in the Central 9^th district (900 S./200 W.) and will begin building a permanent home for the organization this year. Its new center, which will include expanded programming space as well as a community event and performance venue, is slated to be completed in fall 2018. “Not only has Spy Hop outgrown its current space, but the organization is at a point in its development where a permanent home will support its long-term programmatic goals and ensure sustainability for years to come,” said Executive Director Kasandra VerBrugghen.

Spy Hop moved into the Artspace Bridges Project at 200 South and 500 West in spring 2008. The organization has worked hard to create a safe and secure environment for youth, but unfortunately in recent years the Rio Grande neighborhood near the Gateway Mall has become too challenging. “More and more parents are expressing concern for the safety of their children and a reluctance to bring them into the neighborhood,” said Mateus. With the permanent location now secured, the interim move will allow Spy Hop to focus on programming without worrying about the safety of their students.

“Unfortunately, this is an expensive and time-intensive undertaking for the organization,” said VerBrugghen, “but we know it’s the best decision in the interest of our students and we hope the community understands that we no longer felt the Rio Grande location was viable as a safe place for youth.”

Summer classes scheduled for the month of July will take place in alternate locations and will resume in the new location starting August 1, and ongoing classes will transition to the new space with minimal interruption.

Parents or community members with questions about the new location or summer classes should contact Spy Hop.

ABOUT SPYHOP

Spy Hop Productions is a nonprofit, award-winning, youth media arts and education center, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, that mentors youth in filmmaking, graphic and game design, audio engineering, and radio and music production.

Spy Hop’s mission is to mentor young people in the digital media arts to help them find their voice, tell their stories and be empowered to affect positive change in their lives, their communities and the world. Since 1999, Spy Hop has mentored Utah’s young people in the digital media arts as a vehicle for free expression, self-discovery, critical thinking and skilled participation. Our programs are a model for youth development programs across the nation.

In 2015 Spy Hop won the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the nation’s highest honor for after-school arts and humanities programs. The award recognizes and supports outstanding programs that lay new pathways to creativity, expression and achievement outside of the regular school day.

NEW CONTACT DETAILS

Spy Hop Productions

669 South West Temple, Suite 202

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

801-532-7500

www.spyhop.org