Donor Dispatch: Summer 2022

Art Programs & Satellite Studios at RedLine

We know it can feel impossible to know everything that’s going on at RedLine. From community events to art education programs, exhibitions to artist grants and more, we feel that way ourselves sometimes.

Through these seasonal reports, our goal is to help you stay plugged in to the many goings-on at RedLine. At least three times a year, you can expect exclusive, behind-the-scenes looks at our many different art, education, and community programs.

With Artist Residency application process in full swing, we think it’s the perfect time to take a deep dive into our two biggest Art Programs: our in-house Artist Residency program and our Satellite Studio initiative. 

Read on to discover our 2021 celebrations and exciting plans for 2022!

The Impact of Our Artist Residency Program

2022 marks our 12th year of our Artist-in-Residency Program! 

As our flagship program, our Artist Residency is founded on our commitment to provide emerging artists with all the necessary ingredients they need to reach new heights in their career. Ingredients which are often withheld behind walls of inaccessibility and elitism — especially for historically marginalized artists.

The first cohort of Resident Artists were invited into RedLine in 2009. Historically, we've had over 300 applicants a year compete for these 15 spots, proving that our artist-responsive residency model has resonated within our local Colorado community and beyond:

• Resident Artists receive a fully-subsidized studio space and stipend to support their artistic practice for two years. 

• These artists are given the opportunity to work closely with their peers, within an environment of mutual support that fosters collaboration within the community. 

• The open studio format of our residency program supports peer-to-peer mentorship, career development, and exposure to unique opportunities.

Below we offer a behind the scenes look at the philosophy of the selection process for our Artist Residency, and how it reflects our mission to be artist-focused, community-responsive, and approachable as a contemporary arts center.

What’s the philosophy behind our selection process?

• Our Artists-in-Residence program is based on an equitable selection process. 

• We believe in the bold vision of artists and a depth vs. scale approach to the programs we host within RedLine, and the relationships that we build in our neighborhoods.

What does the selection process involve?

• We offer a two-round jury process for our Artist-in-Residence program.

• The first phase of the review process is a blind art jury that reviews each applicant's artwork and artist statement. Selection committee members are prompted to look for artists who are making work currently and are building their careers as artists. 

• It’s called a “blind jury” because members of the selection committee are judging the artwork and statements by their own merit, without the name of the applicant attached. 

• The second phase is a community jury that looks at the applicant's overall involvement or desire to be in a community-responsive space to create and work with local under-resourced communities. 

• Applicants are interviewed by the community jury to determine if RedLine is the right fit for them, and if they’re the right fit for RedLine. 

• Members of both the art and community juries consist of past RedLine resident artists, community artists, local curators, cultural workers, RedLine board members, and other community members, partners, and stakeholders. 

• The jury changes every year to encourage multiple aesthetics, communities and practices into RedLine on an ongoing basis.

Who do we consider to be an “emerging contemporary artist”?

• To us, the question of whether or not someone is considered “emerging” in their art career is addressed in terms of an artist’s own personal creative arc — which is unique to each individual. 

• This has more to do with the richness of artists’ experiences and the degree of personal investment in the work, as opposed to what age they are or what level of recognition they may have achieved. 

• Part of what it takes to be considered an “emerging artist” is how artists demonstrate their desire to take their work and their career to the “next level.” 

• When it comes to defining the word “contemporary,” we approach it simply and straightforwardly using the basic dictionary definition: “belonging to or occurring in the present.”

How do we define “socially engaged art?”

There are many definitions, but we like this one: “an art medium that focuses on social engagement, inviting collaboration with individuals, communities, and institutions in the creation of art that informs a social issue.”

How do you define “community?”

• We define community in both geographic and relational terms. 

• A prospective artist applicant can be interested in working with or within many communities who share something in common (interest, geography, heritage, challenge, etc.).

Watch the video interview with Resource Artist Ron Hicks

Hear From Our Artist Residents

We think our Artist Residency is spectacular, but don’t take it from us. Hear what our Resident Artist Alumni Tya Anthony and Sam Grabowska had to say about their experience:

Why did you want to be a part of the artist residency at RedLine?

Tya: “I wanted to become a resident artist of RedLine to explore the connections of creating space for exploration and diving deep into my practice. As a returning resident of Colorado in 2011 from Baltimore Maryland, RedLine has always felt like a home base for me as an artist, an art student and an advocate for the arts and community.” 

“While attending the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, visiting RedLine became a springboard when thinking about contemporary art and the artists who were making. As an intern while studying marketing during my thesis year, I found a safe space to reflect on social justice and community connectivity hoping for the day I could apply to become a resident artist. RedLine resident Artists in my experience are viewed as a family of creatives exploring progressive and sometimes difficult social narratives.” 

Sam: “To reconnect with my art practice; to be surrounded by the smells, sounds, and sights of people immersed in the trials and tribulations of making things. And here I am being all inspired and supported by my fellow residents.”

How has the Artist Residency furthered your artistic career? What other opportunities have blossomed from your residency at RedLine?

Tya: “RedLine paved the way for me to freely explore multiple mediums, exhibit alongside creative contemporaries and catapulted dialogue around my practice, research and community activism. Through my networking opportunities at RedLine I have created a consistent collector base, exhibited 4 solo exhibitions in the Denver Metro, and have participated in NUMEROUS group exhibitions cross pollinating ideas, styles, and networks. My work has been acquired by the Denver Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art as well. My work and practice have also been recognized by notable Denver media outlets, and I have participated in many panel discussions exploring why art is a necessary tool of communication for youth, those who have been marginalized and more.” 

Sam: “The studio visits have been amazing. I've had so many conversations with kind, experienced, and intelligent people that introduce me to new materials and ask generative questions. I've been invited to show at three venues (BMoCA, DAM, and Union Hall) which I don't think would've happened were it not for the community that Redline creates.”

What suggestions would you give other aspiring Resident Artists looking to apply this year?

Tya: “Fear can be your worst enemy or your best ally. Think broadly about the scope of work you hope to accomplish but leave room for transitions, exploration, and collaboration.”

Sam: “Come talk to current residents, visit the gallery, volunteer with the programs... If you've got a deep desire to totally shift your practice, experiment, and go into uncharted territory, this is the time and space to do it!”

About Tya: Tya Alisa Anthony explores themes of Identity through photography, mined media and charged objects. Anthony’s Identity focused works offer exploration in both the shared and diverse experiences of Contemporary Western Culture. While approaching socially illuminated topics involving people of color, the core of Anthony's experimental work exists within research, collage and abstraction. As an integral component of her tactile studio practice, Anthony draws from photographs acquired online and removed from her extensive archive of family photographs. It is Anthony's intention to create works that explore the intersections of humanity while creating a space of autonomy and regard for bodies of color. Anthony received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 2015, (SUMMA CUM LAUDE) honored as Valedictorian, from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. Presently, Anthony lives and works in the city of Denver, producing photography + mixed media installations for both commissions and exhibition.

About Sam: Sam Grabowska was born to two Polish parents some years ago. As a child, Sam built forts in their backyard. As an adolescent, they found home in marginal spaces like overgrown fields and abandoned smelters. In their 20s they studied film, architecture, and cultural anthropology culminating in two bachelor degrees, a Master's, and a Ph.D. Now, as a recovering academic, Sam works in photography, film, and architectural sculpture exploring the ways in which historically marginalized people find refuge in this odd world. They are particularly interested in the multi-sensory elements of space that can help heal trauma.

RedLine’s Satellite Studios: Where We’re Going and Growing in 2022

Similar to our in-house Artist-in-Residency program, RedLine is the steward of affordable satellite studio spaces around Denver. 

The mission of our Satellite Studio spaces is to provide local emerging and mid-career artists an affordable studio space to grow their practice and connect with the arts community. Access to affordable studio space not only allows artists to maintain the traction they gain while in-residence at RedLine, but it also allows them to continue living and working as an artist in Denver. 

Through RedLine’s annual application process, it’s clear that the need for affordable studio space continues to grow:

• A comparable studio space to RedLine’s studios but in the commercial real-estate market ranges in average from $500-$1500/month, which is outside the boundary of affordability for many artists seeking studio space in Denver. 

• Artists in Denver report that for them, affordable studio space equates to a dollar per square foot, and can’t exceed $350/month. 

To increase the inventory of affordable studio space and live/work space to keep artists living and working in the Denver Metro area, RedLine has been working with developers, city planners, and private property owners to negotiate spaces for artists.

How Our Satellite Studio Program Works

RedLine undertakes an extensive negotiation process (between 8-24 months) with developers, local government, and nonprofits to secure our affordable satellite studio spaces.

Negotiations include space layout, design, architecture, lighting and electrical needs, as well as legal review of lease, license or memorandum of understanding.

The History of our Satellite Studio Initiative

First Satellite Studio Location: Medici Studios

We secured the first satellite studio space at the base of the Medici Project, on 3773 Walnut Street. We worked with a RedLine board member to identify and negotiate this spot. 

Now under a 5 year memorandum of understanding, RedLine has worked with the property owner to provide a studio space that is currently sublet to Resident Alumni Suchitra Mattai. 

Suchitra frequently hosts studio visits with the condo community that sits above her studio as well as has an open studio policy for people in the neighborhood to visit and learn about her practice. This activates street level retail space and engages the community on multiple levels.

As an alumni to RedLine’s Artist-in-Residence program, Mattai carried the values and culture that RedLine’s residency fosters: identifying artists who understand the importance of connecting with community, building relationships, and creating access to arts through dialogue and an open studio format.

Second Satellite Studio Location: ArtPark in Rino Art District

In late 2019, the RiNo Art District reached out to RedLine to be an anchor partner alongside a branch of the Denver Public Library and Focus Points to participate in the operating of 8 artist studios at the ArtPark, located at 1930 35th Street in Denver, CO. 

The District was seeking a partner that could facilitate an equitable selection process and build a community of artists that reflects the neighborhood and that would actively participate in programming the park. 

Third Satellite Studio Locations: X Denver

Simultaneous to negotiating the ArtPark lease, RedLine was approached by X Denver to negotiate a license agreement for studios as part of their residential development located on Inca St.

RedLine’s ArtPark Satellite Studio: At a Glance

• Launched in 2019 

• The studios lease terms vary between 1-5  years, with an option to renew.

• Rent is between $0 - $235/month 

• In 2021, we launched 8 new affordable studios spaces at The ArtPark on 1930 35th Street, Denver C)

• Participating ArtPark artists have access to much of the programmatic offerings included with our Artist-in-Residency program, as well as professional development and networking opportunities. 

• Working on 4 new projects: East Colfax Ave (8 studios), Marion St. (8 live/work units), Grand Junction, CO, and Trinidad, CO

The Satellite Studio initiative has been instrumental and successful in supplying 11 affordable studios for artists. But this is only the start of our affordable studios program. 

RedLine aims to continue our work in securing affordable live and live/work spaces for artists across Colorado. Our goal is to make our Satellite Studio program sustainable and supportive so it amplifies our mission to support artists in our community by creating safe and affordable studio spaces.

We’re currently negotiating with developers and non-profit organizations on 4 other projects that will bring more affordable studio spaces to artists in Denver and Colorado.

Through the Satellite initiative, RedLine is able to build on the practices we’ve learned through the Artist Residency to help nurture and develop artists and their careers — by bringing together a community of artists that can work together and support one another in a collaborative environment. 

Upcoming Exhibitions and Art Programs at RedLine