Artpace

What is a laboratory of dreams? You might find out if you spend enough time at Artpace, right here in downtown San Antonio. Founded in 1995 by Linda Pace, an artist and philanthropist, Artpace is housed in a former 1920s Hudson automobile dealership. It’s a unique space dedicated to showcasing contemporary art and fostering the creative process. What makes Artpace so special is its International Artist-in-Residence program. Three times a year, a guest curator selects three artists – one from Texas, one from the United States, and one from the rest of the world. These artists are invited to live and work at Artpace for four months, creating original works of art in a supportive and inspiring environment. The artists are given free rein to explore their ideas. Artpace provides them with accommodation, studio space, a living stipend, and even travel expenses. This program has attracted over 250 artists from all over the world. Many of them have gone on to achieve great things in the art world, earning awards like the Turner Prize, the MacArthur Fellowship, and the Guggenheim Fellowship. They’ve also been featured in prestigious events like the Venice Biennale and the Whitney Biennial. But Artpace isn’t just about established artists. It’s also deeply invested in education and community engagement. They have programs for K-12 students, university students, and adults, as well as family days and community events like “Chalk It Up”. This event transforms Houston Street into a canvas for artists of all ages to create chalk murals, fostering interaction and dialogue between the community and contemporary art. So, as you can see, Artpace is more than just an art gallery. It is a place where art is created, nurtured, and shared with the community, a true testament to Linda Pace’s vision of a “laboratory of dreams”.