Powerhouse Arts (PHA)
322 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
United States
PHA is a not-for-profit organization that convenes and connects artists to each other and to the resources they need to express themselves and support their practices. Our purpose-built facility hosts a network of art and fabrication professionals, educators, and members who work together to co-create and share artistic practices vital to the wellbeing of artists and the communities to which they belong. Our building is a reimagined 117-year-old power plant—and former artists’ squat—now a creative production center to meet the multidisciplinary needs of artists. In addition to fabrication services, we offer community programming, workshops, classes, and tours. In 2025, we will launch direct artist support programs, details will be posted here and on our website.
The Artist Subsidy Program is designed to subsidize fabrication services for New York City–based artists facing financial barriers in realizing their projects. We recognize that these barriers often stem from systems of oppression—including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and economic inequality—which create significant obstacles for artists in accessing and participating in the arts. To address these challenges, we aim to prioritize low-income artists with other marginalized identities, specifically Black, Indigenous, artists of color, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and refugee artists.
Application deadline: January 8
Applicants will be notified in early February
what artists will receive
Subsidized labor costs for fabrication services including materials up to $6,250 in one of the shops in Print, Ceramics, Digital Print Lab, and Public Art, covering areas such as research & development (R&D), fabrication, production, and consultancy. Additionally, artists will receive knowledge and guidance from our team of expert fabricators and a session with development staff on fundraising strategies. This package also includes promotional marketing through our Instagram and newsletter.
who we serve
We aim to prioritize low-income artists with other marginalized identities such as Black, Indigenous, artists of color, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and refugee artists. This also encompasses artists with little to no institutional support or gallery representation. We may expand this focus to include other underserved groups as we identify them.
Eligibility Information
Eligibility:
- We will prioritize low-income artists who self-identify with marginalized identities (see above).
- Must be a New York City–based artist.
- Cannot be enrolled in a degree-seeking program (e.g., MFA, BFA), participating in an artist residency, nor be represented by a gallery between February to June of 2025.
- Must be flexible to collaboratively modify the project based on fabricator feedback and budget limitations.
- Must finish the project by June 30th, 2025.
Additional Opportunity Information
Applications include:
- A project description and expected list of materials informed by the Budget Guide. Our fabrication teams will work with the artist to allocate funds and to identify materials once accepted.
- Optional narrative box to share any factors for financial need.
- Optional narrative box to share existing financial support if applying for fabrication in Public Art Shop.
- 5 past work samples and 5 relevant images, sketches, or mockups for the project (up to 10 files).
The Artist Subsidy Program is subject to change. Each year, we anticipate that the structure of the program will be modified and improved based on feedback from the participants to better meet their needs. As a result, artists can expect continual enhancements and adjustments aimed at enriching their artistic growth.
Awards or Stipend Information
Featured Project: The pilot of the Artist Subsidy Program brought incredible projects to life, including work by Aziz + Cucher.
Accessibility Information
The PHA building is fully accessible and all restrooms are ADA compliant. Throwing wheels and hand-building tables are wheelchair accessible. Chairs for anyone who needs to sit and a wheelchair is always onsite. We have a quiet room, lactation room, and sensory kits available. PHA is developing a registration form for all events to capture access needs. Staff have completed training sessions to educate us on disability and accessibility, language, models, technical and analytical dimensions of access, organizing accessible events, and creating accessible art.