Arts Gowanus

OUR MISSION: Arts Gowanus nurtures a diverse, inclusive creative community that welcomes all artists in the neighborhood. We create new spaces for art to bring people together, build a more vibrant community, and uplift the greater Gowanus area.  

Founded in 1996, we: 

• Create programs and partnerships that increase the visibility of our artists in Gowanus and across New York City, provide them with opportunities, connect them with one another and the public, and bring art to people in meaningful ways.

• Advocate for policies and initiatives that ensure the area remains affordable and accessible, so that a diverse group of artists can thrive. We lend our voice and resources to building a more equitable Gowanus. 

• Strive to be open and non-hierarchical as an alternative to the sometimes-exclusive New York City art world.

WHAT YOUR DONATION WILL SUPPORT:  Arts Gowanus produces a full calendar of community programming — the annual Tower Show, art fair partnerships across NYC, public murals, our Pride month exhibition, curated shows and pop-up events throughout the neighborhood.

In 2021 Arts Gowanus negotiated a historic agreement to secure subsidized artist studios and a community arts center as part of the Gowanus Rezoning, ensuring an affordable and sustainable local arts community. Our Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) provides about 120 subsidized artist studios at over a dozen development sites, with a negotiated cost dramatically below existing median artist studio prices in the area, starting at $20 per sq. ft. (per year, or $1.66 per month per sq. ft.). Arts Gowanus has allocated a studio in each building for low-income artists in the community and has initiated The Arts Gowanus Fellowship Program, which will cover all rent costs and provide support for each fellow. Arts Gowanus will also run a 2,000 sq. ft. Community Arts Center. It will serve as our headquarters, an art exhibition space, and include three residency studios. The CBA will provide the art studios and the art center in perpetuity even if the properties or future buildings are sold, creating long-term affordability for artists.