Workspace FAQ
- Where is the Workspace residency program located?
- The Workspace studios are located in Lower Manhattan, however there is not a permanent location. Because LMCC works with downtown real estate owners who donate temporarily vacant space, the location changes from year to year.
- Who can apply?
- Workspace is open to emerging visual artists and writers working in a range of media and genres.
- Collaborative pairs (of no more than two people) may apply. Collaborative pairs should submit one application.
- Artists and writers who will be participating in another residency or professional development program or who will be enrolled as students during the Workspace session are not eligible to apply.
- Artists and writers who have been served by LMCC’s Swing Space program cannot apply until 12 months from the last day of their previous LMCC residency.
- Can international artists and writers apply?
- Yes! International artists and writers can apply to Workspace. It is important to note that LMCC offers studio Workspace only, NOT living space. International artists and writers are responsible for travel, living, and housing expenses and arrangements, as well as securing a visa. The modest one-time stipend will not be sufficient for living expenses.
- Does LMCC provide a place for artists and writers to live during the program?
- No, LMCC does not provide a place for residents to live. All space is studio workspace ONLY. All participating residents are responsible for securing their own housing a reasonable distance from the studios for the 9-month duration of their residency.
- How long is the Workspace program?
- 9 months long, September through May.
- Is there a stipend?
- There is a modest, one-time, stipend (depending on available funds). There is no monthly living stipend.
- How are the studios equipped?
- In general, individual studio space is approximately 150-250 square feet. Each studio is partitioned within a larger, shared space, and may or may not have a door. Artists have 24/7 access to the studios, which are equipped with:
-
- A desk and a chair
- Wireless internet access and basic overhead lighting
- Access to a slop sink is usually available
- Small lockers for storage
- Heating and air conditioning during normal business hours
- Please note: there are not medium- or technique-specific facilities like a woodshop. Artists must provide their own tools; some restrictions apply.
- Studios are not open to the public.
- Is there access to facilities for electronic, digital, and new media artists?
- Residents have the opportunity to apply for Visiting Artist Status at partner institutions where they receive access to different multimedia facilities in exchange for leading a workshop, giving a lecture, or doing studio visits with students. Current partners include School of Visual Arts’ Computer Arts MFA Program, New York University’s Advanced Media Studio, and Harvestworks.
- What are Salon Evenings?
- Throughout the residency, there are weekly events for residents called Salon Evenings. Events are two-fold, both building the community within the residency and also providing professional development opportunities. Salon Evenings take different forms: individual studio visits with arts and literary professionals; workshops on practical issues like taxes, copyright, and grant-writing; group events like potluck dinners; as well as artist talks or readings. Participation in Salon Evenings is a required part of the Workspace residency.
- Are there opportunities to share work with the public?
- There are opportunities to share work with the general public including presence on LMCC's website, a Works-in-Progress: Open Studios (usually coinciding with NYC art fairs), and an end-of-session Open Studio Weekend. Residents are required to participate in public programs. In general, 1,000-2,000 visitors come through the studios during Open Studio Weekend.
- How many participants are in the program?
- Approximately 20 visual artists and 8 writers are selected for each Workspace session. Workspace receives almost 1,000 applications every session, 900 from visual artists and 100 from writers.
- How are residents selected?
- Applicants are reviewed by selection panels comprised of arts and literary professionals, artists and writers as well as LMCC staff. Panelists change every year. Writers and Visual Artists are reviewed by separate panels. Each panel selects a group of finalists who are then interviewed by LMCC staff.
- When is the next deadline?
- There is one deadline per year for Workspace. We are not currently accepting applications. The next deadline will be around April 2010; Applications will be available around February 2010. Sign up here for updates.
