Brooklyn, NY – Arts and culture non-profit ARTs East New York (AENY) announces a call for social practice artists and artisans to apply to participate in phase two of the highly successful small business and artist project ReNew Lots Market and Artist Incubator. Initially launched in 2015 in partnership with the NYCEDC at New Lots and Van Sinderen Avenues, ReNew Lots activates rehabilitated vacant city lots, transforming recycled shipping containers into highly affordable storefronts and studios for homegrown Brooklyn-based small business owners and artists. Fostering entrepreneurship with a goal of increasing economic and creative opportunities in ENY, ReNew Lots reopens in 2018 at New Lots Avenue between Cleveland and Elton Street. AENY is launching a Brooklyn-wide “call for artists and artisans” who considers themselves social practice artists to apply to The Van Lier [re]Activate Fellowship.
A little over two years ago, to commemorate ReNew Lots grand opening, Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed April 23, 2015 ‘ARTs East New York reNew Lots Day’ in the City of New York foreshadowing a groundbreaking summer of economic and creative evolution for the East New York community. Together with many collaborators, funders and partners, ARTs East New York operated a 17,000-square-foot space and managed over 14 local entrepreneurs, 4 artists, and an art gallery. While the undertaking was large the reward was plenty, as everyone involved with the project was thrust into their highest level of innovation.
“It is a proven fact that the most successful products, brands, and businesses come from filling a void in the marketplace,” says Catherine Green, Executive Director of ARTs East New York. “We decided to ‘fill a void in our community,’ apply that same concept and model to urban economic development with a focus on community advancement and sustainability instead of capital gain.” ENY houses a large amount of middle-income professionals and homeowners with large spending power. The majority of these professionals currently spend their money outside of the neighborhood due to a lack of quality entertainment, activities and retail offering. ARTs East New York created Renew Lots to fill this void.
AENY invites local socially-engaged artists under 30 to apply to The Van Lier [re]Activate Fellowship, a new residency opportunity at the 2018 [re]New Lots Artist Incubator and Vendor Market. The fellowship provides one year of support that includes a $16,000 stipend, fully subsidized, 24-hour access to studio/gallery space in a renovated, 20 ft. shipping container at [re]New Lots; professional mentorship; and training on grassroots, community-driven cultural work. Fellows will receive a materials budget and consultation from AENY toward the planning and execution of a community project to be completed during the fellowship.
All application materials are due by 11:59 pm on Friday, February 20, 2018. All applicants will be notified mid-March 2018, for an early April program launch. Applicants must live in an area that encompasses East Brooklyn (Community Boards 5, 6, or 18), and be under 30 years of age at the time of application. Fellows will be chosen for their artistic excellence, their ability to articulate how community work is ingrained in their artistic practice; their connection to East Brooklyn; and how well positioned they are to make the most of this unique opportunity. Visit http://artseastny.org/renewlots/ to apply.
[re]New Lots Artist Incubator and Vendor Market will house 4 community-selected Van Lier Fellows and 2 local culinary and retail vendors to offer high-quality storefronts and free artist studios to the ENY community. The repurposed shipping containers will be designed by Miami based development company CEPODS in partnership with the New York City Department of Design and Construction into various multi-use spaces. ReNew Lots officially opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in spring 2018.
Partners include Brooklyn Legal Services, CEPODS, Councilwoman Inez Baron, Llubtish Media Group, Jiva Designs, the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), Department of City Planning (DCP), and Small Business Services (SBS). Funders include the National Endowment for the Arts, Lincoln Center Innovation Fund, New York Community Trust, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Shelly & Donald Rubin Foundation.
For additional information contact Nicolas Savvides, [re]NewLots Manager, at nsavvides@artseastny.org or call 718. 676.6006.
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Arts East New York is committed to presenting promoting and preserving multicultural arts and to address socio-economic issues that hinder the growth and development of our community. Through community beautification, youth programs, and cross-sector initiatives AENY has a proven track record of bringing out the best in East New York.
This program is made possible with major support from The New York Community Trust’s Edward and Sally Van Lier Fund.
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