In 1997, the World Trade Center gained a new group of tenants – Artists.

Since then, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has provided studio space to over 250 emerging artists in some of the most significant architectural icons, from the World Financial Center to the Woolworth building.

Three walls and a view has always been the concept behind Workspace. No door means more interaction, more access to fellow artists and a cross pollination that positively influences future work.

The Council currently offers Workspace in two locations: 200 Hudson Street, 4th Floor in Tribeca and The US Custom House at Bowling Green in the Financial District. Like its first location in the World Trade Center, this program continues our mission to place artists in studios just blocks from Wall Street changing what it means to “work” downtown.

We are now coming up on the 10th Anniversary of the program – which will include public programming, exhibitions, and other celebrations. Check back for details.

2006-2007 Resident Artists

Perks of the program
9-month residency in raw studio space
Access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Exposure to curators, critics, collectors, arts professionals, and the public at large
One-time stipend/materials fee depending on funding
Visiting Artist status opportunities at several institutions
Access to state-of-the-art facilities and libraries
Weekly Salon evenings

Who can apply?
Workspace is open to emerging and early mid-career artists working in all disciplines including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, film/video, installation/mixed media, sound, performance and new media/computer arts. This program is dedicated to serving up-an-coming artists, individuals without current commercial gallery representation, and artists currently without studios.

Quotes about Workspace
“A perfect example of the dynamic creativity that characterizes the best our great city has to offer.” – Mayor, Michael Bloomberg

“We had more studio visits with gallerists than we have had in our entire career.” – Frantiska and Tim Gilman 2004

“Being in close contact with 11 other artistic practices on a daily basis provides an opportunity to understand how other artists approach their work.” – Melanie Baker, 2004 Session

“I've been so productive: the big studio helps, but the prestige of the program is really motivating.  Also, speaking with the other artists has stirred up new ideas about both concept and practice.  Much like a reading list, my "to do" list of projects is getting out of control! “ – Michael Bilsborough, 2006

A Site Matters: The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s World Trade Center Artists Residency, 1997-2001 Published in 2004, Site Matters was the first retrospective publication of the residency program. This 320 page, full-color book documents an exceptional and atypical breadth of projects by LMCC’s 220 World Trade Center residents, who have become some of today's significant young artists, including: Stephen Vitiello, Paul Pfeiffer, Gelatin, Patty Chang, John Pilson, Nadine Robinson, Sanford Biggers, Emily Jacir, and Olu Oguibe. Plans are in the works to mark the residency’s 10th anniversary with a second publication examining work made from 2002 and beyond.

“Site Matters honors the thousands of people who were part of the World Trade Center community and whose presence helped inspire the work created there.”
– Michael Bloomberg