A
Anonymous5
amazing spaces for free for a year.
Location 4Studio 5Professional 2Support 2Community 3
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Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program
Brooklyn, New York, United States
5.0(2 reviews)· 100% recommend
12 monthsAnnual17 artistsUrban
About
The Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program awards rent-free, non-living studio space to 17 visual artists for year-long residencies in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Selected annually based on merit from a competitive pool of applicants by a professional jury, the program is open to professional visual artists 21 years or older who live in the US, as well as US citizens or permanent residents living abroad. The studios feature high ceilings, elevator access, and communal spaces including a kitchen, slop sinks, restrooms, and a sitting area with wi-fi. Artists have 24/7 access to their studios and are expected to spend at least 20 hours per week in the studio, participate in the spring open studios event, and maintain all communal spaces. The residency does not provide housing or financial stipends, and applicants must not be enrolled in any degree program or maintain a separate studio during their residency.
Disciplines
ArchitectureCuratorialDrawingInstallationPaintingPhotographySound/MusicVideo/FilmDigitalGraphicLiteraturePerformanceSculptureTextileMetalMultidisciplinaryInterdisciplinaryTransdisciplinaryPrintmakingResearcher/Scholar
Facilities
Shared StudioKitchen FacilitiesCommon SpaceInternet Access
Professional Opportunities
Open StudioIndependent Creation
Rating Breakdown
Location
3.5
Studio
5.0
Professional
2.5
Support
3.5
Community
3.5
Reviews(2)
Mar 2026
A
Anonymous5
Benefits: The amount of space is very generous with most of the studios. The program is highly respected and the open studios event attracts an impressive number of attendees. Challenges: The studios are not air-conditioned and can get quite hot in the summer months. Some studios also do not have window coverings, so you may need to invest in blinds or some other way to block out the intense sunlight in the afternoons. DUMBO is a very noisy neighborhood, not only from the trains traveling over the bridge, but the constant construction happening on the streets below. The program also has a lot of rules, largely contingent on the property management's involvement and building policies. Practical Advice: Don't underestimate the emphasis placed on the open studios event, which is handled almost like an exhibition. You will be assigned to a few organizing committees to plan the event. This can feel like a lot to take on, but you can use it to connect with your fellow studio mates. Some artists may also have shows planned at the same time as the event, but I would recommend doing whatever you can to have your best work on view at open studios to take advantage of the exposure. Cost vs. Gains: The studio is free, so the only cost is the logistical effort involved (subletting current studio, moving from out of town). If your goal is to really connect to the NYC art community it is worth it. There is also no application fee, so it's easy to apply every year.
Location 3Studio 5Professional 3Support 5Community 4
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