Artist Space Match
    Jewish artists standing up for the community

    Artist Space Match, is a community arts engagement program that places artists-in-residence at Jewish organizations across the five boroughs of New York City. The program provides selected artists with a stipend and access to workspace in Jewish organizations in exchange for the creation and delivery of arts programming for community members. Selected artists will engage participants in an art project or series of cultural programs over the course of the residency, which will also include a public program component – a series of exhibits, readings, performances, open houses or other cultural interactions open to the surrounding community.

    Art Kibbutz works with synagogues, community centers, old age homes, museums, camps and schools. While the Jewish organizations provide work space for the artists, the residents create innovative art, as well as lively communal and public programs. A benefit for host organizations is that the artist in residence program will enhance outreach, build bridges to a new constituency, including the potential to engage across generations.


    Each residency period has a different topic that artists will work on together – in 2014 the first cohort focuses on the environment, while the second one on social justice issues connected to the Shmita year.

    This initiative seeks to connect artists with the Jewish community and aims to positively impact their Jewish connection through arts-based activities. Jewish organizations seek to place artists who are sensitive to their needs and who are interested in engaging their communities. Each Jewish organization is unique and offers access to different types of spaces, resources and communities. Selected artists will work with the Jewish organization where they are placed to further refine project goals and coordinate a schedule for residency activities and use of facilities.

    The host “point people” (leaders/clergy) will learn first hand how the current public discourse on Jewish Art can be integrated into their ongoing programs.

    The public program activities will be promoted and available to the general public and therefore provide greater visibility to the hosting institutions. These events will also provide a chance for Jewish institutions to get their programming ‘out the door’ and engage new constituency. These residencies could help revitalize local communities and lead to new ways of engagement.

    Artist Space Match is a collaboration among Art Kibbutz, Foundation for Jewish Camp, Jewish Art Salon, Association for Jewish Theatre. We are looking for further partners.

    HOW ARTIST SPACE MATCH WORKS

    In exchange for the creation and delivery of arts programming at a Jewish organization during the residency period, artists-in-residence will receive a stipend in the amount of $1,500, an additional $500 materials/supplies budget, access to workspace. Individual artists can apply directly to participate in the program without a fiscal sponsor. Art Kibbutz expects to fund several artist residencies at Jewish organizations across the five boroughs of New York City.

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