Via The Wall Street Journal, written by Pia Catton:

A new nonprofit that will nurture contemporary music is underway in Williamsburg.

The Original Music Workshop (OMW) will be built within the shell of an existing warehouse at 80 North Sixth St., organizers will announce Tuesday.

The project, which has been developing for three years, is led by founder Kevin Dolan, a former senior vice president and general tax counsel at Merrill Lynch & Co. Mr. Dolan, an accomplished organist, described himself as "a fan of musicians" and an advocate for music.

Juilliard-trained composer Paola Prestini has been appointed creative director.

Though OMW is scheduled for completion in late 2013, Ms. Prestini is lining up early, off-site performances, as well as artist residencies.

The inaugural residents will be new-music groups—the Knights, Brooklyn Rider, Talea Ensemble and ACME—as well as the multidisciplinary theater company Dangerous Ground Productions and the dance troupe Ballet Next.

"The idea is to keep an open mind to the trends going on," said Ms. Prestini on the inclusion of groups outside the new-music realm.

The $15.6 million, 13,000-square-foot facility—designed by Bureau V, with acoustics by Arup—will allow for performances to be recorded and broadcast. When not in use for performances, the space will be available for rehearsal. Additionally, OMW will partner with Creative Capital to provide resources to mid-career artists.

"It's pretty much like a new music utopia," said Alex Lipowski of Talea. "They're saying, 'Here's a room that will sound great. Here's time and resources. And you can do whatever you what.'"

Corrections & Amplifications
An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Kevin Dolan a a faculty member at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.