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, exhibiting in the area, etc. Founded by artist Edward M. Epstein in 2003 and run by Gina Renzi since 2008, the program addresses the need for studio space in West Philadelphia, assists artists with career development, and makes the 40th Street area a nexus for visual arts.

AIR is NOW accepting applications for the 2013-2014 residency. Applications are due Monday May 13, 2013 at 11:59pm.

The 2013-2014 residency begins August 25, 2013 and ends August 15, 2014.

Please keep reading for application information.

The mission of the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program is: ·    To address the need for artist studio space in West Philadelphia by offering studios rent-free, on a rotating basis, primarily to those artists who reside in/are very closely affiliated with Philadelphia neighborhoods west of the Schuylkill River. ·    To assist in career growth and provide exhibition opportunities for new and emerging artists and those whose work has not been recognized in mainstream venues. ·    To enrich the 40th Street area by placing artists here who share their talents with our neighbors. If accepted to the program, you will be granted a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut or 4013 Chestnut Street, beginning on August 25, 2013. You will be encouraged to use that time to develop your own creative work. In exchange, you will be asked to share your talents through a minimum of 40 hours of outreach work, within West Philadelphia, over the course of the year. Examples of this include creating a public installation or holding a workshop or class***. Support will be provided to help you develop this project. In addition, residents will have opportunities to work together to plan exhibitions, both of their own work and of their outreach work. Monthly meetings (or more when necessary) will help facilitate this work as well as create opportunities for artists to share ideas and foster community within the program. Our sites are not live-in facilities. The studios are available at all times, but the buildings are shared; you must be considerate of other tenants. The spaces can accommodate a variety of creative activities, including painting, sculpture, installation art, photography, etc. Collaborative as well as individual efforts are welcome. Ceilings are high (approximately 12 feet in some areas); rooms range from 100-300 square feet. Some areas have ample natural light, while others have none at all (making them ideal as darkrooms). The studios are not furnished. The buildingshave small yards in the rear that may be used for assembling larger works, or as a place to exhibit sculpture. The spaces have ventilation, running water, and 120- volt AC outlets. However, the facilities will not accommodate highly toxic chemicals, welding, or high-powered electrical equipment. Note also that within the spaces, there is open access to the different work areas; we count on resident artists to show respect for others' property and privacy.

To apply:   You can access the application in multiple ways:    1. Click HERE for a Google doc version. 2. Click HERE to download from Dropbox. 3. Email 40th.AIR.app@gmail.com for an application. Please specify if you want an application in PDF or Microsoft Word format. Once completed, please submit the application by 11:59pm on Monday May 13, 2013. Email it to 40th.AIR.app@gmail.com or mail it to 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program, 4007 Chestnut Street, First Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Do not drop off materials; there is no guarantee we will receive them. We can return application materials if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope.