Queens Museum Studio Program: Open Call

Queens Museum Studio Program

Artists from all locations are invited to apply!

On November 9 2013, the Queens Museum completed an expansion doubling its size. This expansion included new artist studios in the Queens Museum’s north wing. We invite all artists to apply for a subsidized studio at the Museum, available for one year, with a possible extension for a second year.

In designating permanent real estate to the long-term development of new work on-site, as well as to creating a community of artists, the Queens Museum aims to promote artists’ creative process and professional development. The Queens Museum Studio Program is one part of a suite of artists’ services funded by The Scherman Foundation’s Katharine S. and Axel G. Rosin Fund that also includes on- and offsite workshops and professional development for emerging artists across New York City. Please see http://www.queensmuseum.org/artist-services/ for more information.

IMPORTANT DATES:
July 7th: Application deadline. Please visit: https://queensmuseum.submittable.com/submit/30657
August 4th-10th: Finalist interviews
August 15th: Artists informed
October 1st: Studios available for occupancy

STUDIO MONTHLY FEES:
550 sq ft studio = $350/month
350 sq ft studio = $225/month
Fees go towards studio program administrative costs and maintenance.

WHO SHOULD APPLY? As a studio program within a museum, we encourage artists to apply who believe they might be able to somehow contribute to and avail themselves of the life of the organization. Participation can range from being in your studio during Queens Museum exhibition openings to organizing events for the public with the input of curatorial and events departments. Please consider your availability and geographical location carefully, and apply only if you are confident you will use the studio 15 hours/ week or more. If you can, visit the museum before you apply to familiarize yourself with it.

SELECTION PROCESS: Selections will be made by Queens Museum staff and two distinguished outside professionals, one curator and one artist. This jury will select a small number of finalists who will then be interviewed in person or via Skype for a final decision.

THE STUDIOS: Artists have 24-hour access to their studios and two adjacent lounge areas. Because the studios are within the Museum, there can be no use of toxic or combustible materials. There is limited access to a woodshop.

COMMUNITY AND CAREER: We ask all studio artists to attend a monthly meeting to which everyone can bring ideas, questions, and interesting visitors. There are six scheduled studio visits a year, suggested by you; this is supplemented by people who may be at the museum for other reasons. Open studios are scheduled to coincide with exhibition openings at the Queens Museum.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply? All artists can apply, except for currently matriculating students and those employed by the Queens Museum
2. Do I have to live in Queens? No
3. Do I have to be a U.S. citizen? No—but you do have to be able to live legally in the U.S. for a year
4. How large are the studios? Some are approximately 550 square feet and others are approximately 350 square feet. Ceiling height is 12’.
5. Are there limitations to what materials I can work with? Yes. There can be no toxic materials or oil paint and no open flame. Dusty or heavy-duty production is discouraged.
6. What about my noise level? All artists will be asked to use headphones when playing music. Construction-related noise is discouraged Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (while school tours are underway).
7. Is the common area available for me to put up my work? Yes. If there is a lot of interest in this, we may ask that you use a calendar to avoid conflicts.
8. Does anything else happen in the studio wing? Due to space limitations in the Museum, all departments (exhibitions, public events, and education) do occasionally use the studio program common area for classes, events, and production space.
9. Do I get to choose my studio? We will ask you to rank your preferences.
10. Do they have windows or natural light? No
11. What hours are they accessible? 24 hours
12. Can I sleep in my studio? You are not permitted to sleep in your studio, and pets and other animals are not allowed in the building.
13. Are there bathrooms/slop sinks? Yes
14. Can I share the space with anyone? Long-established collaborative groups may apply for the studio. Also, artists’ employees or interns may occupy the studio if they are working on the artist’s project with permission from QM staff.
15. Can I occupy the studio for less than a year? No
16. Will Queens Museum visitors get to see my work? Yes, during exhibition openings. Otherwise, the studio wing is not accessible to the public. We may conduct tours of the studios for potential donors and others, and we will notify you in advance of the date and time.
17. Will artists be able to organize events, screenings, talks, or workshops in our studios? Yes. If you are expecting more than ten guests at a time, please let us know two weeks in advance.
18. Will artists be able to organize events, screenings, talks, or workshops in Museum spaces? Curatorial and Public Events staff would love to hear your ideas.
19. Will the Queens Museum help artists do offsite work or collaborative work with community partners? Yes. However, given our many years of carefully cultivating relationships in the neighborhoods around the Museum, we’d appreciate your speaking to our staff community organizers with your plans so not only can we avoid any confusion or conflict, but possibly identify interesting synergies.
20. Is there parking available? Yes—a free parking lot right next to the Museum.
21. Is there security? Yes—there is a lock on your door and a security guard on duty around the clock.
22. Is there wi-fi? Yes
23. What are the lights like? Gallery track lighting, with removable bulbs.
24. What is the power supply in the studios? Each studio has at least one dedicated 15 amp circuit. Please indicate if you require more power as it might be possible to provide it to you at certain times.
25. What if I get hungry? There is a lounge with a refrigerator and microwave. A 15-minute walk brings you into Corona, Queens, with excellent Latin and Italian food. A walk to the subway and one stop away in Flushing are uncountable Asian restaurants. The Museum café is open during public hours.
26. Can I smoke in the studios or common areas? No—there are no windows and the Queens Museum is a public building.
27. Can I enter the rest of the Museum when it’s closed to the public? No
28. How do I bring in my work? The studios are on the ground floor with a secured door to the parking lot. There is separate access to a loading dock.
29. Is it wheelchair-accessible? Yes
30. Why is there a fee? The fee covers administrative costs for a studio program coordinator and maintenance.
31. What if I run out of money? Failure to pay three months’ rent will result in expulsion from the program.
32. What’s Flushing Meadows Corona Park like? We are in a vibrant urban park, but we don’t recommend walking across it to the subway alone late at night.

To apply, please visit: https://queensmuseum.submittable.com/submit/30657