Spaceworks Tacoma: Creative Enterprise and Residency

 

SPACEWORKS OVERVIEW
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). There are currently 2 tracks available as part of this application: Creative Enterprise and Artist Residency.

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 and an event or open house every 3rd Thursday, 5-8pm
 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

SPECIAL PROJECTS OVERVIEW
An element of Spaceworks Tacoma, Special Projects offers dedicated practicing artists the chance to pursue projects and develop work in any discipline for up to six months. This could include individual artist residencies, but preference will be given to especially active projects. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed as spaces become available.

Special Projects is seeking artists or artist teams who:
 will primarily use a space to develop artwork or a creative special project
 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.
 are able to hold an event or open house every 3rd Thursday, 5-8pm
 can create an enticing visual display for passersby

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
 Former Spaceworks participants are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to artists who have never participated in the program before.

TIMELINE:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as space becomes available. Priority will be given to applications that are received first. Applicants are encouraged to contact Spaceworks staff to check on the status of their application or to refine their proposal concept.

To apply:
(1) Fill out this online application form

(2) Email the following items to rsolverson@cityoftacoma.org. (Guidelines for the following items are available at the end of this application)

A. Work Samples - 10 digital images of the artist’s past work
B. Work Sample Description Sheet
C. Resume
D. Budget, if applicable

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