First lottery opens for affordable artist studios in Gowanus
A lottery for six affordable artist studios in Gowanus— the first of more than 100 such studios slated to come to the neighborhood in the next few years — is now open.
Priced at around $1.66 per square foot per month, the studios will rent for between $275 and $331 per month, or $3,300 and $3,800 annually. Per the CBA, rents can only increase by 2% per year. That’s well below market rate for the area, said Johnny Thornton, executive director of Arts Gowanus, which helped orchestrate the CBA and is overseeing the lottery and the affordable studios.
Thornton and Arts Gowanus’ program director, Emily Chiavelli.
listings for arts studios in the area show rents two or three times higher than what’s expected at The Shop — a 220 square foot studio in Sunset Park costs $775 per month, where the largest affordable studio at 420 Carroll, at 223 square feet, costs $275 per month. A membership and a private studio at the Gowanus Studio Space runs at least $630 per month.
Gowanus used to be an affordable haven for artists, and still has a thriving arts scene. But as the neighborhood changed, rents started to creep up, forcing creators to move elsewhere. When the Gowanus rezoning was proposed, locals worried more artists would be displaced, either by high rents or by developers buying and knocking down the buildings they worked out of.
The studio lottery, and an even more affordable option
The lottery for the studios isn’t quite as strict as for affordable housing, Thornton said, and it’s available via the Arts Gowanus website, not a city portal. The studios are meant for “fine artists,” per the site, who must prove that they’re actively working by providing photos of their recent pieces and either an artist statement and biography, CV, or a letter from someone established in the arts who can back the applicant.
An algorithm used to sort the applications will give more weight to artists who can prove they were previously displaced from Gowanus, and those who are part of an underrepresented community will also be given priority. Arts Gowanus will interview top applicants remotely, but the final determination will be made by the landlord or property owner — who may ask for their own application and credit or background checks. The rent includes heating, cooling, ventilation, electricity, and shared Wi-Fi — plus a communal kitchenette, bathrooms, and slop sink.
Applications for the first round of studios close on March 1, 2025. Applicants who don’t get studios will be kept in the system for future lotteries, since all are in the same neighborhood, and won’t have to re-enter.
Looking ahead
“We couldn’t be more excited about both of these things, it’s really been a long time coming,” Thornton said. “So, this being the first ones that are coming online, it’s just a really special time and it’s taken a lot of work.” With the studios at 420 Carroll set to be completed this spring, Thornton expects more studios in other buildings to start coming online later this year. Arts Gowanus’ new headquarters and community center, which will also include three free studios, will likely open in late 2026 or early 2027.
Conclusion
The opening of the affordable artist studios in Gowanus is a significant step towards preserving the neighborhood’s thriving arts scene. With the studios offering a range of affordable options, from $275 to $331 per month, artists will have the opportunity to work in a creative space that is accessible and affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
* What is the price range for the studios?
+ The studios will rent for between $275 and $331 per month, or $3,300 and $3,800 annually.
* How many studios are available in the first round of the lottery?
+ Six studios are available in the first round.
* What is the application process like?
+ Artists must apply through the Arts Gowanus website, providing photos of their recent work, an artist statement and biography, CV, or a letter from someone established in the arts who can back their application.
* What is the priority given to certain applicants?
+ Artists who can prove they were previously displaced from Gowanus, and those who are part of an underrepresented community, will be given priority.
* What is the duration of the rent?
+ The rent is fixed at 2% per year.
