The Arts Gowanus Fellowship Program
Launching in 2025, The Arts Gowanus Fellowship Program is open to low-income and upwardly mobile artists and makers working in any medium and at all stages of their career. Though this program is open to all Brooklyn-based applicants who meet the financial criteria of being considered low-income, we are prioritizing applicants from Local Affordable Housing based in Gowanus and Red Hook (Gowanus Houses, Warren Houses, Wyckoff Gardens and Red Hook Houses)
Background
Arts Gowanus is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive creative community that welcomes all artists in Gowanus.
We know from years of community advocacy work that workspace affordability is one of the biggest barriers to realizing a sustainable career in art. As part of our advocacy during Gowanus Rezoning, Arts Gowanus negotiated a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that provides a community center and subsidized artist studios across 11 development sites.
The CBA provides a number of studios that are allocated for low-income and upwardly mobile artists in the community. The Arts Gowanus Fellowship Program was created to provide these studios free of charge and includes material and production support. We will begin the program with our first two Fellowships beginning in Spring 2025.
What does the Fellowship entail?
The Arts Gowanus Community Artist Fellowship Program will cover the entire cost of one year’s rent for low-income and upwardly mobile Gowanus-based artists working any medium and at any stage of their career.
The Arts Gowanus Community Artist Fellowship will also provide material and production support to each participant. This support will be tailored to to meet the needs of each accepted fellow.
In addition to access to studio spaces, Fellows will participate in individually tailored career development workshops and studio visits led by artists, curators, gallerists, and cultural workers.
Fellows will take part in Arts Gowanus’s programming, and these year-long fellowships will culminate in an art exhibition, open to the public and supported and in a space provided by Arts Gowanus.
At Arts Gowanus sole discretion, it may offer to renew a fellowship for an additional year, to a fellow doing outstanding work.
What is required of fellows?
Selected artists must commit to a studio practice of at least 10 hours a week for a period of one year. Artists will participate in Arts Gowanus programming, attend monthly studio visits and/or career development workshops, and hold a public exhibition (supported by and in a space provided by Arts Gowanus) at the end of the fellowship period.
Why work with Arts Gowanus?
Arts Gowanus has a long history of successfully mentoring artists, both independently and through our partner organization Exploring the Arts. In addition, our extensive network of local artists and cultural workers puts us in a unique position to host a rewarding and meaningful Fellowship that will set artists on the path to a sustainable career.
We know the difficulty of sustaining a career in the art world, especially in New York City. Our mission has always focused on guiding artists through that process by providing economic and creative opportunities to members of our Gowanus community.
How do I apply?
To qualify for this fellowship, you must demonstrate interest in art-making, commitment to an art practice, and a letter of interest or personal statement describing why you would benefit from this program. You’ll also need to upload 5 - 10 images of artwork you’ve made in the past 12 months. Qualifying applicants may be invited to a brief interview.
Those applying for the Fellowship Program will self-certify that their income does not exceed 50% of the then current Average Median Income (AMI) as defined by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). See: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/area-median-income.page. Applicants will also self-certify that their net worth (retirement accounts, savings, investments, owned real estate, or other assets) does not exceed $50,000.
After the application and interview process is complete, the selected artists will be obligated to provide documents proving that they meet the financial criteria that may include Federal tax filings, bank statements, retirement account statements, and any other documents to assure they comply with the financial limits for highly-subsidized studio space. '
*This Fellowship Program will prioritize local artists and makers residing within The Gowanus Houses, Warren Houses, Wyckoff Gardens and Red Hook Houses.
Assistance with application and/or paperwork is available at any step of the process. Please contact johnny@artsgowanus.org
*Artists who apply to the Fellowship Program may also apply for the subsidized studios lottery, though these subsidized studios are not rent free, they are below the market rate for artist studios in Gowanus.