The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR), which awards West Philadelphia artists one year of free studio space at 40th and Chestnut Streets, is now accepting applications for the 2013-2014 residency. Applications are due Monday, May 13, 2013. Artists accepted into the program are expected to share their talents with neighbors by leading workshops, teaching classes, and exhibiting in the area.

Founded by artist Edward M. Epstein in 2003, the program addresses the need for studio space in West Philadelphia and assists artists with career development. If accepted into the program, artists will be granted a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut St.  or 4013 Chestnut St., beginning on August 25, 2013.

Current resident artists include Diedra Krieger who worked with students at the Huey School, residents of the 4900 block of Chancellor Street, and Mariposa Food Co op’s Food Justice and Anti-Racism Group (FJAR) to collect plastic water bottles and construct a large geodesic dome. You can read more about this project here. Other artists currently participating in the program are Celestine Wilson Hughes, Fatima Adamu, and Michael Harpring.

For more information about AIR and to apply for the residency, go to: http://40streetair.blogspot.com.