Street Arts
Programs bring up-and-coming West Phila. artists close to campus
by Pamela Ellermann | Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 1:16 am
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program, located at 40th and Chestnut streets, provides five artists from West Philadelphia studio space for one year. The program has served over 30 artists since its creation in 2002.
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program, located at 40th and Chestnut streets, provides five artists from West Philadelphia studio space for one year. The program has served over 30 artists since its creation in 2002.
Just a few blocks from campus, two programs link Penn with up-and-coming West Philadelphia artists.
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence (AIR) and ArtsEdge programs aim to provide emerging West Philadelphia artists an opportunity to devote themselves to their art without distraction.
AIR, which offers local artists free work space, was founded in 2003 by artist Edward Epstein in collaboration with Facilities and Real Estate Services.
ArtsEdge, entering its second year, offers subsidized studio and living space for two artists per year — a writer and a visual artist — sponsored by the Kelly Writers House and the School of Design, respectively.
These programs provide artists a space where they can work independently, when emerging artists would otherwise experience geographic and financial constraints, said Ed Datz, executive director of real estate for the University.
AIR, having served almost 30 artists during its lifetime, has undergone several changes. Originally, the program supported four artists on a six-month residency, but has now added another artist, Epstein said. Residencies now run a full year.
The program has also modified its application system, allowing any artist from West Philadelphia to apply in an effort to make the program more inclusive. In previous years, applicants had to be nominated by previous artists or board members, said AIR manager Gina Renzi.
The program’s artists often hold workshops with local schools or contribute to public works, such as a mural at the Rotunda.
Epstein said some AIR artists have continued to work with the schools that they collaborated with during their residencies.
“Basically, we are interested in making the arts at Penn visible,” as well as making West Philadelphia artists visible to the University, Director of the Kelly Writers House Jessica Lowenthal said.
Previous ArtsEdge resident Greg Romero helped coordinate activities between the Philadelphia Dramatists Center and Penn by organizing shows at the Writers House.
This year, residents are working together to hold a panel about art that incorporates multiple genres to exemplify the “energy and creative impulses” that ArtsEdge supports, Lowenthal added.
The program helps foster a sense of community by enabling artists to live and work on the same block, according to Renzi. Previously, artists were housed together. ArtsEdge now offers separate apartments for its residents.
“Trying to imagine how two strangers live together made sense in the abstract,” Renzi said. Practically, it added a “strange wrinkle” to the project, prompting the need for separate quarters.
Before they were accepted to ArtsEdge, the artists in this cycle were worried about finding affordable housing in Philadelphia, Renzi said.
In addition to providing space for artists, Penn Facilities and Real Estate Services helps carry the operating costs, Datz said.
- Applications For 2016-2017 Residency Now Open
Take a look at the guidelines and go ahead and apply- tell your friends and fellow West Philly based artists as well! Dear Applicant:Thanks for your interest in the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program. This letter describes the program and provides...
- Just Two Days Left! Apply Now! Deadline Is Monday! Apply For Our 2013-2014 Residency!
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR) awards West Philadelphia artists one year of free studio space at 40th and Chestnut Streets. In exchange, each artist shares his/her talents with West Philadelphia by leading workshops, teaching classes,...
- The Daily Pennsylvanian :: 40th Street Artists-in-residence Program Opens Its Doors To The Public
Thanks to the many folks who visited our studios and gallery during the annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours this past weekend! A writer from the Daily Pennsylvanian, the independent student newspaper of the University of Pennsylvania, visited us as...
- Now Accepting Applications For The 2012-2013 Residency! Deadline Is Monday May 7!
Residency: August 25, 2012 - August 15, 2013 Application Deadline: Monday, May 7, 2012We'll alert artists (whether they are accepted or not) by June 15, 2012. If accepted to the program, you will be granted a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut...
- Call For Artists!
Please note that this program is not being conducted by AIR. We're passing along the info from our friends at The Center for Emerging Visual Artists Open to all Visual Artists: CFEVA’S New Courtland Artist Fellowship Deadline March 5, 2010:...
Street Arts
Article in Daily Pennsylvanian • 2/9/10
Programs bring up-and-coming West Phila. artists close to campus
by Pamela Ellermann | Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 1:16 am
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program, located at 40th and Chestnut streets, provides five artists from West Philadelphia studio space for one year. The program has served over 30 artists since its creation in 2002.
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program, located at 40th and Chestnut streets, provides five artists from West Philadelphia studio space for one year. The program has served over 30 artists since its creation in 2002.
Just a few blocks from campus, two programs link Penn with up-and-coming West Philadelphia artists.
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence (AIR) and ArtsEdge programs aim to provide emerging West Philadelphia artists an opportunity to devote themselves to their art without distraction.
AIR, which offers local artists free work space, was founded in 2003 by artist Edward Epstein in collaboration with Facilities and Real Estate Services.
ArtsEdge, entering its second year, offers subsidized studio and living space for two artists per year — a writer and a visual artist — sponsored by the Kelly Writers House and the School of Design, respectively.
These programs provide artists a space where they can work independently, when emerging artists would otherwise experience geographic and financial constraints, said Ed Datz, executive director of real estate for the University.
AIR, having served almost 30 artists during its lifetime, has undergone several changes. Originally, the program supported four artists on a six-month residency, but has now added another artist, Epstein said. Residencies now run a full year.
The program has also modified its application system, allowing any artist from West Philadelphia to apply in an effort to make the program more inclusive. In previous years, applicants had to be nominated by previous artists or board members, said AIR manager Gina Renzi.
The program’s artists often hold workshops with local schools or contribute to public works, such as a mural at the Rotunda.
Epstein said some AIR artists have continued to work with the schools that they collaborated with during their residencies.
“Basically, we are interested in making the arts at Penn visible,” as well as making West Philadelphia artists visible to the University, Director of the Kelly Writers House Jessica Lowenthal said.
Previous ArtsEdge resident Greg Romero helped coordinate activities between the Philadelphia Dramatists Center and Penn by organizing shows at the Writers House.
This year, residents are working together to hold a panel about art that incorporates multiple genres to exemplify the “energy and creative impulses” that ArtsEdge supports, Lowenthal added.
The program helps foster a sense of community by enabling artists to live and work on the same block, according to Renzi. Previously, artists were housed together. ArtsEdge now offers separate apartments for its residents.
“Trying to imagine how two strangers live together made sense in the abstract,” Renzi said. Practically, it added a “strange wrinkle” to the project, prompting the need for separate quarters.
Before they were accepted to ArtsEdge, the artists in this cycle were worried about finding affordable housing in Philadelphia, Renzi said.
In addition to providing space for artists, Penn Facilities and Real Estate Services helps carry the operating costs, Datz said.
- Applications For 2016-2017 Residency Now Open
Take a look at the guidelines and go ahead and apply- tell your friends and fellow West Philly based artists as well! Dear Applicant:Thanks for your interest in the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program. This letter describes the program and provides...
- Just Two Days Left! Apply Now! Deadline Is Monday! Apply For Our 2013-2014 Residency!
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR) awards West Philadelphia artists one year of free studio space at 40th and Chestnut Streets. In exchange, each artist shares his/her talents with West Philadelphia by leading workshops, teaching classes,...
- The Daily Pennsylvanian :: 40th Street Artists-in-residence Program Opens Its Doors To The Public
Thanks to the many folks who visited our studios and gallery during the annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours this past weekend! A writer from the Daily Pennsylvanian, the independent student newspaper of the University of Pennsylvania, visited us as...
- Now Accepting Applications For The 2012-2013 Residency! Deadline Is Monday May 7!
Residency: August 25, 2012 - August 15, 2013 Application Deadline: Monday, May 7, 2012We'll alert artists (whether they are accepted or not) by June 15, 2012. If accepted to the program, you will be granted a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut...
- Call For Artists!
Please note that this program is not being conducted by AIR. We're passing along the info from our friends at The Center for Emerging Visual Artists Open to all Visual Artists: CFEVA’S New Courtland Artist Fellowship Deadline March 5, 2010:...