Spaceworks Tacoma

Deadline: (ONGOING)

Creative Enterprise/ Artist Residency
Spaceworks Tacoma
Tacoma, WA


Spaceworks Tacoma is a joint initiative of the City of Tacoma, Shunpike, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce designed to activate empty storefronts and vacant space in downtown Tacoma. The initiative makes no- and low-cost temporary space available to artists, fledgling creative entrepreneurs, organizations, and community groups who transform vacant spaces through artist residencies, creative enterprises, and art installations (Artscapes).

CREATIVE ENTERPRISE OVERVIEW
An element of Spaceworks Tacoma, Creative Enterprise provides designers, crafters, consultants and other fledgling entrepreneurs with the chance to test new products and services in a physical space. We are currently looking for artists who can move into spaces on a rolling basis for three or six month durations.

Creative Enterprise is seeking artists or artist teams who:
 have an idea for a creative business (for-profit or non-profit) that benefits Tacoma’s artistic community (this could mean selling original artworks, offering classes, etc.) but do not have the resources to rent a space and develop a full-fledged business
 will primarily be selling services and/ or merchandise
 are able to hold set business hours
 can create an enticing visual display for passersby
 OR, if you have an idea that does not fit the scope of any of the current tracks, but you feel could benefit Tacoma’s artistic community – use this application

Selected artists and/or artist teams will be:
 required to pay utilities
 required to hold set business hours
 required to take out general liability insurance
 strongly encouraged to have a free consultation before moving into a space

ARTIST RESIDENCY OVERVIEW
An element of Spaceworks Tacoma, an Artist Residency offers dedicated practicing artists the chance to pursue projects in any artistic discipline. We are currently looking for artists who can move into spaces on a rolling basis for three or six month durations.

Artist Residency is seeking artists or artist teams who:
 will primarily use a space to develop artwork
 are dedicated to producing art on a regular basis
 feel that a dedicated space would allow them to bring their work to another level, by being able to work on a different scale, work in different materials, spend more time on work, etc.
 can create an enticing visual display for passersby

Selected artists and/or artist teams will be:
 required to pay utilities
 strongly encouraged to have a free consultation before moving into a space

ELIGIBILITY
 Applicant can apply as a single artist or as an artist team
 Applicant must live in Washington State
 Applicant must be 18 years old or older
 Applicant cannot be a member of the Tacoma Arts Commission or an employee of the City of Tacoma, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, or Shunpike

SELECTION CRITERIA
 Quality of work as exhibited in the work sample
 Ingenuity of concept/proposal
 Appropriateness for the public realm
 Feasibility and ability to execute proposal

ABOUT THE SPACES
Spaceworks Tacoma has identified several interior spaces in downtown Tacoma as locations for these site-specific installations. Spaces will vary in size and amenities; selected artists will be paired with an appropriate space for their proposal. Spaceworks reserves the right to pair selected artists with spaces at its discretion. Keep in mind that the available spaces can be rather raw and windows can be expected to have active “For Lease” signs, which cannot be moved. Participants will be required to provide all furniture and, in some cases, fixtures.

Download:
Creative Enterprise/Artist Residency (doc)
Creative Enterprise/Artist Residency (pdf)

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Rebecca Solverson, rsolverson@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5560 OR visit www.spaceworkstacoma.com

Spaceworks Tacoma
747 Market Street, Room 900
Tacoma, WA 98402