farmington valley arts center

The Artists' Studio Program

The FVAC Artists' Studio Program provides a nurturing, challenging environment for professional working artists who rent studio space at the Arts Center. To ensure both high quality work and professional commitment, artists are juried through a supported application and review process. The Arts Center provides career advancement support as the Studio Artists and other regional artists pursue their artistic and entrepreneurial goals.

The Artists' Studio Program Information

The Artists' Studio Program at FVAC exists to provide individual artists with professional working space in an artistic community. Studio artists work in a rental studio space that is open to the public at times of FVAC special events and programming and at the artist's discretion. The program showcases a diversity of talents, and artists and crafts persons from a broad spectrum of disciplines may choose to work together and share ideas. The Artists' Studio Program includes promotional events and optional professional gallery representation. In conjunction with the pursuit of their art, artists participate in and contribute to FVAC's mission.

Eligibility

Artistic talent, commitment to one's art and the mission of FVAC are the criteria for acceptance into the Artists' Studio Program. Emerging and mid-career artists and crafters of promising talent are encouraged to apply. A group of artists donates their time to jury applications, which include work samples, references, the application form, and a resume along with a list of exhibit participation, if applicable.

The Artist and FVAC: FVAC's Commitment to the Artist

Studio Space and the Artistic Community

• FVAC provides a supportive artistic environment and the infrastructure for creating a successful artist studio program.
• FVAC provides professional working space in which to make/create art.
• Studio space can only be used in the spirit of meeting FVAC's mission. Space may not be used to display or sell the work of non-FVAC studio artists.
• FVAC provides 20 studios leased by artists with similar interests and concerns.
• FVAC provides two galleries and ongoing arts education programs, workshops and events for all ages.
• Studio Artists have created The Studio Artists' Association (SAA) for supporting professional development.

Marketing Support & Representation

• FVAC organizes, hosts and promotes special events (e.g., open studios events) that showcase the artists and provide public exposure.
• FVAC publicizes and advertises the studio artists and other programs and events, which includes regular FVAC catalogs, press releases, advertising, and other publicity regarding open studios and other events.
• FVAC's Website provides studio artists' contact information and links to studio artists' Websites.
• FVAC provides optional representation in a professional gallery (Fisher and/or Visitors Gallery) and, periodically, optional exhibition of work on or off-site.

Business Support

Office technologies such as a copier and fax machine are made available to artists.

The Artist and FVAC: The Artist's Commitment to FVAC

The Artists' Studio Program is a key component of FVAC. Artists share their talent through their unique art/craft and provide the public with an opportunity to meet these professionals and see them at work. Artists working in diverse disciplines from traditional functional crafts to more conceptual uses of material and ideas are all found at FVAC. The artist works toward both the advancement of career goals and supports FVAC's mission by:
• Continuously working toward artistic and professional development.
• Paying a rental fee for studio space.
• Making studio space reasonably available to the public to help promote FVAC's mission.
• Participating in events such as "open studios" weekends to gain more public exposure and expand public appreciation of the arts.
• Participating in optional activities such as workshops, informal meetings and critiques with other artists, teaching in their studios, and teaching classes and workshops as FVAC instructors.
• Contributing to a positive, cooperative, mutually beneficial, and respectful atmosphere at FVAC.
 

Studio Specifications

• Studio rental fees include water, heat and electric.
• All studios are approximately 525 square feet.
• Rental rates reflect a modest subsidy by FVAC.
• FVAC offers a one-year renewable lease.
• All accepted applicants must be prepared to enter into a one-year contract.
 

How to Apply

►Applications are reviewed on an on-going basis.
►Application and guidelines can be obtained by contacting:
Farmington Valley Arts Center
25 Arts Center Lane
Avon, CT 06001
►Direct questions concerning the Artists' Studio Program to 860.678.1867or email info@fvac.net.