We are no longer accepting applications for 2022-2023 Artist Studio Program. To apply for the 2023-24 program, please see the details here.
Overview and Studios
The Artist Studio Program was launched in 2000 in response to the crisis of available affordable space for artists living and working in New York City. The program provides six eligible artists working in all visual arts media a free private studio space accessible 24/7 and a fellowship (dependent on funding). The program runs for a 50 week period from September 1 to August 15. The studios are located on the lower level of our building at 92 Plymouth Street in Dumbo, Brooklyn and range in size from 250 to 300 square feet. The program does not provide living space.
Smack Mellon’s Artist Studio Program supports emerging or early career artists. Applicants must be legal residents of NYC for one year prior to the application deadline and be residing in NYC at the time of the application process and for the term of the residency. All applicants must be United States citizens or legal Permanent Residents of the United States, 18 years or older, may not be enrolled in any degree program, and must be able to demonstrate need for a studio. Applicants may not be a resident artist in another studio program at the same time as the Smack Mellon residency.
Production Facilities
Artists also have access to shared facilities that include: a digital production lab, including a set of 27″ iMac workstations professionally configured for video and graphics editing, calibrated monitors, HD projector, stereo monitor speakers, flatbed film scanners, a wide-format photo printer, a color laser printer, and wireless internet access; a fabrication shop including table saw, bandsaw, drill press, belt-sander and other tools and equipment. Our staff is on-hand to provide technical support and to respond to the studio needs of our resident artists.
Special Notes
Artists who are accepted into the program must be prepared to actively use their studio a minimum of 50 hours a month or they will lose it. Not all studios have windows. Artists will not be permitted to choose their studio. Please also note that due to the possibility of flooding in our basement studios, we strongly recommend that artists keep anything valuable off the floor at all times; therefore artists accustomed to working on the floor should think carefully about whether our studios will meet their needs.
Application and Selection Process
To apply to the 2022-2023 season, visit our Submittable page. Please review the eligibility and application guidelines carefully before beginning your application. Each year, Smack Mellon convenes a panel of arts professionals to select the artists from over 600 applicants. A group of finalists who are not selected for the Studio Program are featured on our Hot Picks page for one year.
Open Studios and Studio Visitors
Smack Mellon hosts two Open Studio events annually, as well as sponsored visits from curators, critics and gallerists, which provide significant exposure and invaluable career building opportunities.
In addition to monthly studio hours, artists are expected to help at Smack Mellon’s benefit events and make themselves available for studio visits with school groups and other tour groups outside of Open Studio event hours.
The Smack Mellon Artist Studio Program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Council Member Stephen Levin, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, and with generous support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Edward and Sally Van Lier Fund of The New York Community Trust, Jerome Foundation, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation Inc., Select Equity Group Foundation, and Smack Mellon’s Members.
Smack Mellon programs are also made possible with generous support from the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, The Roy and Niuta Titus Foundation, Robert Lehman Foundation, and Exploring The Arts. In-kind donations are provided by Materials for the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs/NYC Department of Sanitation/NYC Department of Education.
Space for Smack Mellon’s programs is generously provided by the Walentas family and Two Trees Management.
Smack Mellon would like to extend a special thanks to all of the individuals, foundations, and businesses who have contributed to the NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund.