Atlanta Contemporary receives funding to increase rent subsidy for Studio Artist Program

ATLANTA - June 14 – Atlanta Contemporary Art Center (Atlanta Contemporary) is pleased to announce the receipt of a consequential gift from the Tim & Lauren Schrager Family Foundation to increase the subsidy for all artists participating in the Studio Artist Program.

Now in the third year of free admission, Atlanta Contemporary continues to see increasing numbers relative to daily attendance, audience diversity, donations, and annual membership. Funding from the Tim & Lauren Schrager Family Foundation is vital to a Studio Artists’ ability to engage in experimentation and risk-taking.

“Supporting the arts is a priority for our philanthropy,” states Tim Schrager. “This includes a variety of organizations, but we also want to directly support artists who are continually being priced out of the real estate market. Subsidizing studio rent seems like one of the best ways to impact the financial well-being of artists who are finding it more and more difficult to reside in Atlanta. By offering below market rents, our hope is that the studio program will continue to attract the best and brightest artists in the city, affording them the opportunity to work in West Midtown and continue to add to the vibrancy of our city.”

The increase in subsidy from 30% to 55% for the next year helps remove cost as a barrier to participation. Atlanta Contemporary’s Studio Artist Program fosters a collaborative environment supportive of the creative process. Emerging, mid-career, and established Atlanta-based artists may apply when space becomes available. Selection criteria include: consistency with Atlanta Contemporary’s organizational focus, level of activity as a working artist, and history of community involvement.

“A gift such as this affirms Atlanta Contemporary’s mission and vision,” says Veronica Kessenich, Executive Director. “We are very grateful to the generosity of Tim and Lauren Schrager Family Foundation over the many years and appreciate that this donation underwrites the working, Atlanta-based contemporary artists participating in the Studio Artist Program.” In addition to the gift announced above, funding from the Forward Arts Foundation directly supports the Studio Artist Program. Please join us tonight for Open Studios from 7 to 9pm ($10 General Admission, $5 Students with valid ID, FREE for Atlanta Contemporary Members). All ticket sales directly support the subsidization of each studio space.

About Atlanta Contemporary

Atlanta Contemporary engages the public through the creation, presentation and advancement of contemporary art. Founded in 1973 as Nexus, a grassroots artists’ cooperative, Atlanta Contemporary has since become one of the southeast’s leading contemporary art centers. We play a vital role in Atlanta’s cultural landscape by presenting over 100 consequential artists from the local, national, and international art scenes through our various exhibition and project spaces each year. We are one of the few local art organizations that commission new works, paying particular attention to artists of note who have not had a significant exhibition in the Southeast. Additionally, we organize 100+ diverse educational programs annually including Contemporary Kids, Contemporary Cocktails, Contemporary Talks, Movement Love and more! Atlanta Contemporary provides on-site subsidized studio space to working artists through the Studio Artist Program, removing cost as a barrier to the creative process.

All press inquiries, contact:

Veronica Kessenich, Executive Director

veronica@atlantacontemporary.org