The Gowanus Studio Space Competitors

Pioneer Works is a cultural center dedicated to experimentation, education and production across disciplines. Through a broad range of educational programs, performances, residencies and exhibitions, Pioneer Works transcends disciplinary boundaries to foster a community where alternative modes of thought are activated and supported. We strive to make culture accessible to all.

We support artists by partnering with property owners to transform unused real estate into space for artists to create, present, and connect with the mission to increase equity and bolster diversity in the arts. For over three decades, Chashama has played a central role in sustaining New York’s vibrant artistic community by giving space to 20,000 artists, hosting 4,000 public art events, providing 1,500 free art classes in underserved communities, and reaching an audience of nearly 1 million. We envision a cultural ecosystem that’s representative and supportive of diverse communities. We want New York to be a place where all artists— aspiring, emerging, and established— feel supported, valued, and encouraged. It was founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Anita Durst to remedy what she observed to be the greatest threat artists faced: the lack of affordable space. Since its inception Chashama has worked collaboratively with artists, property owners, and the New York community to activate space and support under-resourced communities, establishing itself as a well-regarded cultural force on a mission to increase access to the arts for all.

SculptureCenter leads the conversation on contemporary art by supporting artistic innovation and independent thought highlighting sculpture’s specific potential to change the way we engage with the world. Positioning artists’ work in larger cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts, SculptureCenter discerns and interprets emerging ideas. Founded by artists in 1928, SculptureCenter provides an international forum that connects artists and audiences by presenting exhibitions, commissioning new work, and generating scholarship. For nearly 20 years, SculptureCenter has presented works by over 750 emerging and established artists through its annual exhibition program, and today, SculptureCenter is considered one of New York’s most adventurous kunsthalles. Placing importance on investment, inclusiveness, independence, transparency, and rigor, SculptureCenter has developed a strong reputation for championing under-recognized and emerging artists, many of whom have gone on to celebrated and substantial careers such as: Turner Prize winner Charlotte Prodger and nominee Anthea Hamilton, Sanford Biggers, Nairy Baghramian, Tom Burr, Liz Glynn, Rochelle Goldberg, Camille Henrot, Leslie Hewitt, Rashid Johnson, Ugo Rondinone, Katrín Sigurdardóttir, Alexandre Singh, Monika Sosnowska, Gedi Sibony, Mika Tajima, and recent Hugo Boss Prize winners Anicka Yi and Simone Leigh. As a non-collecting museum, SculptureCenter’s annual exhibition program includes 1–2 commissioning programs by mid-career artists, 10–15 projects by emerging artists, and 3–6 solo and group exhibitions in addition to an exciting series of special projects by established and emerging artists. SculptureCenter continuously offers a dynamic series of free public programs and events that feature artist talks, performances, film screenings, and publications.