10/28/03

An old not-for-profit mainstay supports young artists and the dwindling Soho art scene.

by Contributor

The Vibe
Artists Space is a nonprofit, privately and federally funded space founded in 1972 to encourage experimentation in the arts and support emerging artists. Like its alternative-space neighbors Art in General and the Drawing Center, it's a holdover from a time when galleries, not luxury stores, were this neighborhood's main draw.

The Goods
Community education programs and grants for artists and curators are some of the ways in which this space nurtures young visionaries. There's an artist's file open to anyone willing to submit slides for permanent holding; some of the shows are compiled from these artists; some are not. As Chelsea dealers snap up MFA grads from big-name schools, Artists Space remains a vital outlet for not-yet-recognized talent.