Photo courtesy of City of Alexandria
Torpedo Factory Art Center
The City of Alexandria is set to launch a second open call for visual artists studio space at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the City announced. This re-jurying process aims to expand the artist studio program to better reflect contemporary best practices, diversity, and public interaction—a key action item in the Art Center’s core strategic direction. As a complement to this strategy, the City is currently working with stakeholders who recommended a new governance structure that will function as a quasi-public entity.
“The artists and the community have spoken and we’ve heard their voices,” City Manager James Parajon said. “The Torpedo Factory is an important City institution. As such, it is important to expand opportunities and its overall impact, all while identifying the best approach to enhance its offerings.”
Beginning Wednesday, March 1, individuals, as well as groups of up to four artists, are invited to apply for a three-year lease in one of the available studios. In addition to the studio space, artists will have the opportunity to help shape the future governance structure and contribute to the vibrancy of the City’s art scene. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 18.
Visual artists at all levels of their respective careers, who are over the age of 21, are eligible to apply. The fee is $45 for new applicants or applicant groups but will be waived for current resident artists and individuals for whom the fee is a barrier. Artists can apply to be a “resident artist” with a three-year lease or to become an “Artist Pro Tem” and be eligible to sublease studios at the Art Center.
Here are more details about the open call, from the Torpedo Factory:
Torpedo Factory Art Center is accepting applications for Resident Artists — individuals or groups of up to four — who will earn three-year studio leases and Artists Pro Tem — individuals who will earn the ability to sublease and participate in the Art Center programming.
Applicants accepted as Resident Artists shall receive a three (3)-year studio lease with publicly subsidized rent of $ 17.39 per square foot per year.
The partially blind three-phase process allows a team of four expert, independent jurors to review work for quality and merit. The juror panel will also consider artists’ ability to successfully interact with the general public and positively contribute to the overall Art Center community.
Application Opens March 1, 2023 and are due April 18, 2023. If accepted into Phase III, in person presentations to jurors (open to the public) take place June 14 and 17, 2023. Leases begin in the fall, 2023.
Find full information here: torpedofactory.org/opencall
2023 Jurors include:
- Kerry Brougher is the former Chief Curator of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., where he also served as Deputy Director and Interim Director.
- Jaynelle Hazard is the Executive Director and Curator of Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA).
- Ara Koh is an artist with adjunct professorships at American University, The George Washington University, and Maryland Institute College of Art.
- Christine Neptune founded Neptune Fine Art in 2001 in NYC after nearly twenty years of professional experience working in auction houses, museums and fine art galleries in Manhattan.
Information can be found via torpedofactory.org/artopps. For reasonable translation or disability accommodations, contact torpedofactory@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4570, Virginia Relay 711.
