named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Arts Gowanus Fellowship
Supports low-income artists by covering full studio rent and providing resources; prioritizes applicants from Gowanus Houses, Warren Houses, Wyckoff Gardens, and Red Hook Houses.
Community Arts Center
2,000 sq. ft. space serving as Arts Gowanus headquarters, exhibition venue, and home to three artist residency studios, secured in perpetuity through rezoning agreement.
Curatorial Services
Connects local artists with businesses and developers for art installations in residential and commercial spaces, including 84 Saint Marks Place, 450 Warren, and NU Hotel.
Gowanus Open Studios
Annual event showcasing local artists' work through open studio visits and exhibitions, now in its 30th year.
Subsidized Artist Studios
Provides approximately 120 affordable artist studios across more than a dozen development sites in Gowanus, with rents starting at $20 per sq. ft. annually, secured through a Community Benefits Agreement.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 3 activities
- Curates and presents exhibitions for local artistsOrganizes and curates exhibitions at local and citywide art fairs and venues, including The Affordable Art Fair, The Other Art Fair, 450 Warren, and public outdoor spaces, showcasing work by dozens of Gowanus-based and Brooklyn artists. Also facilitated the installation of seven murals and 36”x36” vinyl banners in public spaces.
- Organizes Gowanus Open Studios and other public art eventsHosts an annual open studios event each October featuring over 300 local artists, providing public access to artists' studios, factories, and warehouses in the Gowanus neighborhood. Also organizes additional public arts events such as block parties and community celebrations.
- Provides art selection and installation servicesOffers art selection and installation services for individuals and businesses, providing access to local artwork available for loan or purchase.
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Housing Policy Advocacy & Tenant Organizing 2 activities
- Advocates for affordable and accessible artist spacesAdvocates for policies and initiatives that maintain affordability and accessibility in Gowanus, supporting a sustainable and diverse local arts community.
- Secures subsidized artist space through rezoning advocacyNegotiated a Community Benefits Agreement as part of the Gowanus Rezoning to secure approximately 120 subsidized artist studios across more than twelve development sites, ensuring long-term affordability and accessibility for a diverse artist community.
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Corporate Sponsorship Programs 1 activity
- Offers sponsorship benefits and recognitionProvides sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses, including public recognition, press inclusion, VIP access, private artist-led tours, and prominent display of sponsor logos at events and on printed materials and the organization’s website.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Operates a Community Arts Center and residency studiosWill operate a 2,000 square foot Community Arts Center that serves as the organization’s headquarters, includes exhibition space, and houses three residency studios.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Provides subsidized artist studios and fellowship programsOffers highly-subsidized studio space to selected artists at $20 per square foot annually, with rent increases capped at 2% per year after the second year. Operates a fellowship program that covers full rent for low-income artists and provides additional support, including one studio per building reserved for low-income artists. Studios will be available starting in 2025.
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Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
- Supports and promotes local artists through programs and partnershipsCreates programs and partnerships to increase visibility for local Gowanus artists across New York City, connecting them with opportunities, audiences, and public engagement platforms.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$500K
Contributions & grants$198K40%
Program service revenue$301K60%
Investment income$870%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$348K
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead30%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$186K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$291K
Cash$130K
Investments$150K
Liabilities$18K
Net assets$273K
Liquid reserves9.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +113.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Thornton | Executive Director | 40 | $111K |
| Demarcus McGaughey | Director | 1 | $3K |
board members · 8
- Behzad Amiri — Treasurer
- Brendan Aguayo — Director
- David Kutz — Board President
- Julie Mashack — Secretary
- Karen Mainenti — Director
- Laporte Claire — Director
- Sally N Davis — Director
- Tracy Penn — Board Chair
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- 450 Warren, Gowanus Partner — Partners to curate and install artwork by local Gowanus artists in residential spaces.
- Affordable Art Fair Partner — Community partner of Arts Gowanus
- Art for Change Partner — Community partner of Arts Gowanus
- Arts Gowanus Network — Member organization fostering local artist networks in Gowanus
- Brad Lander Government — Councilman Brad Lander supported Arts Gowanus in negotiations for the Gowanus Rezoning agreement.
- Brooklyn Pride Partner — Co-presented the Pride in Community outdoor art exhibition.
- Brooklyn Pride Partner — Collaborated on the annual Pride exhibition.
- East Frames Partner — Community partner of Arts Gowanus
- Established Gallery Partner — Arts Gowanus is led by the owner of Established Gallery, indicating a close operational or collaborative relationship.
- Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Partner — Collaborated on the Creatures of the Canal bioluminescent block party, including hosting free canoeing on the Gowanus Canal.
- Gowanus Open Studios Partner — Annual collaborative event featuring over 300 artists, businesses, and venues in Gowanus.
- Gowanus Open Studios Partner — Collaborates on events where sponsors are recognized through banners, printed materials, and public listings.
- Gowanus by Design Partner — Collaborated on The Patterns Gala 2026 fundraising event.
- Mookntaka Partner — Collaborated on the Creatures of the Canal bioluminescent block party.
- NU Hotel, Downtown Brooklyn Partner — Collaborates on curatorial installations featuring local artists at NU Hotel.
- NYC Council Government — Collaborated with NYC Council representative Julia Ehrman in negotiations for the Gowanus Rezoning agreement.
- New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Government — Uses income thresholds defined by HPD to determine financial eligibility for the fellowship program.
- Ottinger Employment Lawyers Partner — Community partner of Arts Gowanus
- Palosanto Restaurant Partner — Community partner of Arts Gowanus
- Saint Marks Place, Boerum Hill Partner — Collaborates on curatorial installations to showcase local artists at Saint Marks Place.
- Shahana Hanif Government — Council Member and collaborator on the Creatures of the Canal bioluminescent block party.
- The Old Stone House Partner — Co-presented the Pride exhibition and Rooted in Pride public art exhibition at Washington Park.
- The Old Stone House Partner — Community partner of Arts Gowanus
- The Old Stone House & Washington Park Partner — Co-presented the Pride in Community outdoor art exhibition and hosted the display on its premises.
- The Other Art Fair Partner — Community partner of Arts Gowanus
- The Shop BK Partner — Collaborated on the Creatures of the Canal bioluminescent block party.
- Van Alen Institute Partner — Collaborated on the Creatures of the Canal bioluminescent block party.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artist Community Building Through Direct Engagementmethodology: artist_community_buildingBy facilitating direct connections between artists and the public, and among artists themselves through networking and collaboration, the organization strengthens the local arts ecosystem because peer relationships and public visibility increase sustainability and professional growth.
- Community-Driven Artist Supportmethodology: community-driven_arts_developmentBy centering artists who live and work locally in leadership, programming, and curation, Arts Gowanus strengthens community relevance and builds a sustainable, resilient arts ecosystem because proximity and lived experience ensure alignment with neighborhood needs and cultural values.
- Community-Engaged Public Art and Curationmethodology: community-curated_public_artBy using open calls and collaborative processes to select and display art—especially from underrepresented groups like LGBTQIA+ artists—the organization fosters inclusion and collective ownership of public space because community-defined narratives are centered, increasing relevance and participation.
- Equity-Centered Access to Resourcesmethodology: equity-centered_accessBy prioritizing access to subsidized studios and fellowships based on geographic residency and economic need, the organization increases equity in cultural participation because structural barriers related to income and housing are directly addressed to support marginalized artists.