Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation Launches New Artist Residency Program

Art and Austin are nearly synonymous. Now, thanks to The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, local artists will have the opportunity to shine like never before. The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation is launching its inaugural Artist Residency Program that will enhance the city’s vibrancy while providing space, exhibition and sales opportunities to creatives.

This unique opportunity in Austin offers a chance for artists to immerse themselves in a supportive and inspiring environment. From painters to sculptors to photographers to mixed-media artists, the artist residency program provides the ideal space to focus on creative practice, develop new work, and engage with a diverse community of artists and cultural enthusiasts across the city – all while nurturing entrepreneurship and creativity.

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DASA Launch (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

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Guests posing for a photo (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

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DASA Launch (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

The six-week residency program is a chance for 16 artists to make their mark on the vibrant, cultural landscape of Austin. While working in the heart of the city (506 Congress), the selected artists will create works based on given themes and then present their creations, all while forging new relationships that will last a lifetime. Additional residencies will open later in 2024 and into 2025 for future interested participants.

The Artist Residency is part of Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation’s newly launched Downtown Austin’s Space Activation (DASA) program. DASA is a call to action for Austinites to take an active role in making downtown the place they want it to be. Through DASA, the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation is transforming empty, underutilized spaces and turning them into a platform for social impact, community connectivity and inclusive prosperity. A lack of affordable space poses barriers to many Austinites showcasing their talents downtown. Vacant storefronts and spaces downtown lead to fewer people coming downtown to play, shop and explore. 

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Downtown Street View (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

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Mural being painted on a building (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

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Holiday Stroll (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

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Holiday Stroll (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

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Holiday Stroll (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

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Art box on 11th (Photo courtesy of Downtown Austin Alliance)

DASA bridges this gap by connecting artists, artisans, musicians, entrepreneurs, and creatives of all kinds with donated space and resources to bring their ideas to life, encouraging diversity and dynamism in the city. Through supporting diverse artists, business owners, and more, downtown sustains its vibrancy and cultivates economic, social and cultural benefits.

The DASA program is made possible by the generosity of the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation.

For more information about the inaugural Artist Residency Program, please contact dasa@downtownaustin.com.