Apply for a Studio

The Application Process

Per our by-laws, membership is open to visual artists working in the media of painting, printmaking and/or sculpture. Applicants must demonstrate, through their work, both a high level of skill and commitment. We understand that many artists must make a living via methods outside the realm of art, which does not preclude anyone from membership. However, members must be professional artists with strong portfolios, exhibit history and excellent references.

PART ONE

To apply for a studio:

A completed Application Form
10 JPEGS of recent work OR the URL to your web site. All work must be recent (within 3 years of application date)
Artist Resume (include artistic activities with dates: education/training, exhibition history, professional experience, awards, grants, residencies, etc.)
Artist Statement
Two letters of recommendation from recognized art professionals who can attest that you are a working artist and would be a good community member as part of a cooperative.
A statement explaining:
- why applicant wants to live here
- what applicant will contribute to the cooperative community
- what experience applicant has had working in community service, volunteerism, board participation or community leadership

Without the above information, applications will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis.

Please note: City of Boston artist certification is not a factor in eligibility for membership. We are not part of the City of Boston artist housing program and require our own application process.

Apply Online

If you prefer to mail your application, please download the application form and send all materials to:

Fenway Studios Inc.
Application Committee
30 Ipswich Street
Boston, MA 02215

Download Application Form

PART TWO

Applicant Pool/Waitlist

Once a complete application has been reviewed by our Application Committee, the applicant will be notified of the results by email and will be added to the applicant pool. When a unit becomes available, artists in the Applicant Pool will be notified via email with description and details. Interested applicants will then be given the opportunity to view the unit and governing documents will be provided upon request.

Please note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to keep contact information updated. If the committee is unable to reach an applicant by email, he or she will be removed from the applicant pool. Acceptance into the applicant pool is not a guarantee of future membership.

PART THREE

After viewing the studio, applicants who are interested in proceeding will move to the next steps, which include:

an interview
a review of materials (updated resume, portfolio, etc.)
reference checks
After the review process, the Application committee submits a recommendation for approval by the Board of Directors, who has final say.

PART FOUR

The finalist will be required to have a background check to ensure they meet financial qualifications. In addition there is a required CORI background check.

PART FIVE

Following the successful completion of background/financial review, the finalist may proceed with the purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

As per our by-laws, applicants must be practicing visual artists working in the media of painting, printmaking and/or sculpture. The by-laws restrict the coop from accepting commercial artists, graphic designer, photographers and people who are working in the crafts (pottery, textiles, etc.). Applicants should have a recent body of work (less than three years old) documented by either a personal and/or gallery website.
NOTE: Having BRA artist status does not automatically make you eligible for membership. We are not part of the BRA system and require our own application process

How often are applications reviewed?

Applications are reviewed quarterly by the FSI Board and you will receive notification via email when your application review has been completed. All applicants who are reviewed favorably receive preliminary acceptance and are placed on our wait list.

How long do accepted applicants typically wait for an available studio?

This is difficult to estimate because it depends on when existing members choose to move out. It also depends on who on the wait list is ready to move in. Sometimes there are applicants at the top of the list that may pass on a studio and someone who might be further down ends up being able to purchase one. Recent wait times have varied from 2-5 years.

Are the units live/work or work only?

All units are legally zoned for live/work (with the exception of the ground level units, which are work-only). However, the amenities in each unit vary greatly. Some will have full kitchens and baths and others will not. Residents can make renovations to a studio with Board approval. The expectation is that units will primarily serve as studio spaces. These are not meant to be live-only spaces.

Is the building open to the public or does it have a public gallery space?

The building does not have a public gallery space and it is not generally open to the public. There are events throughout the year that allow for public access including Annual Open Studios, generally held in November, Opening Our Doors, a Fenway-wide event in October and First Night, held on December 31st as part of the city’s New Year festivities. All of these events are optional for residents. There are other smaller events and tours that happen, and residents may be asked to participate?again, these are optional.

Is the building a condo association?

We are not a condo but rather a limited-equity housing cooperative. This means that residents own shares in the cooperative and that we all own the building. Share ownership entitles the member to lease a studio space. The shares do appreciate but it should be noted that as a limited-equity cooperative, the share value only appreciates modestly. The ?limited equity? part of the title means that when a member sells their shares, he or she does so according to a formula that establishes a selling price meant to both profit the seller and help keep the live/work space at lower than market rate over time.

What happens when there is a vacancy?

When a unit becomes available, the Application Committee will notify artists on the waiting list with an email containing the following information about the available unit:
–Size of unit/Location in the building
–Price of unit
–Monthly fees
There will be an open house for preliminarily approved artists. Applicants must see the space in person. They cannot send a proxy. An interview with representatives of the FSI Board and Application Committee is required. Applicants will be required to provide updated materials to the committee. The committee + board will vote on candidates and membership will be offered to the candidate of their choice.

What happens if I am offered a studio but turn it down?

Artists on the waitlist who are offered a studio and then turn it down will remain on the list. However, repeated refusal of a space may result in removal from the list.

Questions? Contact applications@fenwayartstudios.org