ARS is a start-up organization dedicated to creating stable, accessible, innovative live/work space for professional working artists 60 years and older, to enable them to continue their work.
There is an astonishing lack of resources, and scarcity of available, adequate, appealing housing and work space for artists as they age. The most recent housing for artists of any age, PS 109, in East Harlem, opened in 2014. 53,000 artists applied for 89 living spaces.
Unlike other professions - writing, acting, music, dance, firefighters, longshoremen, others - there are no artist unions, and no professional organizations that offer housing, studios, or coordinated support services, like archiving, storage, estate planning, to aging professional artists, a large, and rapidly increasing population.
Our plan is to create housing and work space for older artists in New York City, or within a 2 hour radius of the city, with access to it. We’re raising seed money to build our organization, pay for staff, and carry out the extensive planning and fundraising involved with a project like this.
We have a hybrid model: we intend to include artists of all economic levels; to offer housing that’s for sale, or rent, and to be economically sustainable. As an example, think short term residency programs like Yaddo, McDowell, others, that are inclusive, supportive, community building, productive experiences - but with a difference – ARS will provide living and workspace; access to artmaking facilities, storage space, have common areas like a lecture hall, library, media center; opportunities for community engagement, all during what is probably the most challenging time of life.
Join us in this exciting endeavor! There are many ways to help – make a donation; purchase artwork on our website: www.artrepublicspace.org. You can make check, credit card, in-kind donations; become a monthly donor, and request a matching gift from your employer. We’re also seeking legacy donors, with property, buildings, land, and who are interested in making a major contribution, or endowing a live/work space in their name.
All contributions, must be made to payable to Fractured Atlas, and are tax exempt to the fullest extent of the law. Contact:
info@artrepublicspace.org with questions or for more information.
Learn More: http://www.artrepublicspace.org