Calling all Bay Area artists! The Contemporary Jewish Museum (The CJM) is excited to announce Artist Studios at The CJM, a new program designed to support Bay Area–based emerging artists in need of studio space as a result of financial hardship or conditions surrounding COVID-19. The CJM will host two individuals from March 4 to August 8, 2021, during which time recipients will be granted daytime use of a private studio space and access to educational resources in the Helen Diller Institute. The two participating artists will also receive a $1,000 honorarium.
Jewish and non-Jewish artists working in a variety of media—including painting, drawing, photography, digital media, multimedia, sound, writing/poetry, installation, performance, sculpture, textile, and social practice—are encouraged to apply. This opportunity is designed specifically for emerging local artists in need of workspace.
Learn more about the program’s mission, requirements, and application instructions below. For any questions, please email curatorial@thecjm.org.
Artist Studios at The CJM is intended to ensure that local artists continue to thrive in spite of today’s immense challenges. We aim to do this by providing in-kind studio space to emerging artists based in the Bay Area who are in need of workspace as a result of financial hardship or conditions surrounding COVID-19. The program reflects The CJM's ongoing commitment to sustain the rich and diverse culture of the Bay Area arts community, and to provide a platform for artists to engage in dialogue both with one another and the public.
The selected artists for Artist Studios at The CJM will receive:
Those eligible for Artist Studios at The CJM are:
The Contemporary Jewish Museum is an equal opportunity organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, age, marital or domestic partner status, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, The CJM will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Studio access is available during staff operating hours, up to five days per week. Specific days and times will be predetermined jointly by the artist and The Museum. Two artists will participate concurrently and will utilize separate, secure spaces:
Ronald and Anita Wornick Board Room (Studio A)
Sala Webb Education Center Classroom (Studio B)
Both studios are ADA-compliant and fully accessible to people with disabilities. For further information on access, please visit the link below or contact access@thecjm.org.
Due to the non-traditional nature of these studio spaces, conditional use will be defined in consideration of the artist’s physical practice.
Applications should be submitted as a single PDF with a file size of no more than 15 MB total, and labeled as follows: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_2021.pdf. Please email the application to curatorial@thecjm.org with the subject line “Artist Studios” by Monday, January 4, 2021. Please include the following items in your application:
Please note that artist groups should submit a single application. For questions on the application, please see our application FAQ below, or email curatorial@thecjm.org.
Artist Studios at The CJM is active for five months, from March 4–August 8, 2021.
*Program dates may be subject to change due to conditions dictated by closures due to COVID-19.
Our highest priority is the health and safety of our visitors and staff. To ensure we provide a safe and clean environment, we have implemented a number of safety measures that are in strict compliance with the City of San Francisco and the State of California. For questions or concerns, please contact us at curatorial@thecjm.org.
6pm on Monday, January 4, 2021
The studios will be active for five months, from March 4 to August 8, 2021. These dates are contingent on museum closure due to COVID health and safety protocols and are subject to change.
The studios are located at The Contemporary Jewish Museum — 736 Mission Street — in downtown San Francisco, close to Yerba Buena Center and the Montgomery BART Station.
Yes. The studio program is open to any local artist in need of a workspace, who may be dealing with financial difficulties or challenges related to COVID-19.
Yes.
If you are deeply invested in the Bay Area arts community and can demonstrate your past engagement with and continued dedication to the community, The Museum will consider your application.
No. Artist Studios at The CJM is open to all Bay Area-based emerging artists who fit our eligibility criteria (see “Eligibility” above).
At this time, The Museum cannot provide direct fabrication support or materials to the selected artists. However, our staff are available, upon request, to support the shipping/receipt of artwork and personal studio supplies through The Museum’s secured loading dock.
The studio ventilation system is connected to the rest of the building, and therefore cannot support chemical-intensive processes involving large quantities of solvents, varnishes, sawdust or other particulates, smoke, or excessive fumes. If you are unsure about the suitability of your material process for the studio space, please contact us at curatorial@thecjm.org.
While Museum galleries are not available to exhibit artwork made in the studios, participating in this program will include one virtual public artist talk with CJM curators, and one educational program. Other opportunities include occasional engagement with The CJM’s social media platforms, and collaborations with The Museum’s Public Programs and Education departments.
The studios are not available for in-person visits prior to artist selection. However, The Museum can provide additional site visuals and details upon request. Please contact us at curatorial@thecjm.org for more information.
Our highest priority is the health and safety of our staff, visitors, and community. In accordance with city and state guidelines based on California’s four-tier color-coded classification system, the program dates of Artist Studios at The CJM may be subject to change or cancellation due to COVID-19. In the event of a city-wide closure, the studios will not be accessible on a day-to-day basis. In such an event, The CJM will work with the selected artists to adjust the studio program timeline.