Become a Member

Interested in Membership?

You must live or work within the geographic boundaries shown in the map. We limit the number of members, and usually each year there is some turnover.

We accept new applications twice a year: February/March and September/October. New members accepted in the fall are not eligible for Gowanus Open Studios of that year.

Requirements:

1. Must live or have a studio within our designated geographic borders (see map)

2. Those not within our geographic borders who meet other requirements will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

3. Must have an art based website, and an Instagram or Facebook account where they post their work.

4. Must join a committee.

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Geographic Boundaries

North: Flatbush, South: 24th Street, West: 4th Avenue, East: Caton Avenue.

Finances

Base dues are $45.00 per year and cover some general expenses such as website maintenance and general publicity. Some exhibitions and all special events will require additional fees for advertising, poster, maps, space rental.

Membership Responsibilities

It is required that you join a committee. (See list below) Many decisions are made within these smaller groups and your participation is important to the whole group. Each committee will have its own meeting schedule. Most shows will have gallery sitting requirements.

Membership Offerings

Exhibition opportunities, Community engagement, Interaction with other artists, News about shows around town, Studio visits. Your work will be featured in the members section of our website.

We are an evolving group. We welcome member input and suggestions for expanding the visibility of the group, and range of opportunities offered.
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Committees

EXHIBITIONS

There are ten teams, established for each ‘regular’ venue or assembled on an ad hoc basis for a pop-up at a new place. Tasks include jurying, managing drop-off and pick-up, installation and de-installation, opening reception with food and drink, a checklist for all exhibitors to follow (including signing up for ‘sitting’ times). Also follow-up with the PR and design teams for all publicity. Some exhibits require more work than others. In addition to those who are organizing the venue, every participating member should be ready to contribute as needed. All of this requires emails, mapping out space for each artist, determining shared costs, etc.

PR

Teams:

Design (posters, ads, postcards, etc.—varies with each exhibit)

Web (maintenance, helping member update their pages, fielding jotform submissions, inquiries, etc.)

Instagram and Facebook (posting submissions from members, etc.)

Newsletter (periodic email of member news to our email list)

Press (press releases sent to appropriate local media for our exhibitions)

OUTREACH/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Create Public Relations angles through partnerships and cross-promotion with other neighborhood groups. By leveraging existing relationships in the community to showcase PSWTA creativity beyond traditional art exhibitions. One example might be a semi-permanent installation in a public garden.

MEMBERSHIP

Open in February and October. Maximum membership 60

Interviews (contact applicants and conduct interview for onboarding, coordinate between new member and exiting teams in order to definitively place the new member where needed).

Tech (Maintain the group spreadsheet so it is up-to-date and free of errors.)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Teams:

Studio visits (assist member who has chosen to open their studio some afternoon or evening; generate required publicity; this is generally members-only and informal)

Field Trips (ad hoc fun trips to a museum or artist’s studio (non-member)

Member meetings (find venue, help host, generate all notices regarding a group meeting)

Web interviews (essentially a Covid-era thing, this generates a 15-minute Zoom that the member can archive on their website).

OFFICERS

President (runs meetings and helps with all major decisions)

Janie Samuels

Treasurer (collects dues, dispenses cash, manages budget)

Joyce Riley

Secretary and Co-Secretary (takes notes at group meetings)

Robin Roi and Kathleen Jean-Jacques