Our First Foundation Grant from the Green Family Foundation
Affordable studio space is one of the biggest make-or-break factors in an artist’s ability to keep creatingespecially in South Florida, where the cost of living has risen faster than most people’s paychecks. That’s why we’re proud (and honestly, relieved) to share that collaboARTive’s Creative Community Residency is made possible with support from Green Family Foundation.
This is a milestone for us: it’s our first foundation grant, and it provides $20,000 over two years to help artists access affordable studio space at a moment when affordability is shaping who gets to stay in Miami’s creative community.
What the grant makes possible
With support from Green Family Foundation, collaboARTive is offering three subsidized studio residencies through The Creative Community Residency.
Each selected artist will receive:
A reduced studio rate of $300/month (standard rate: $450/month)
A 12-month subsidy period
A private studio space (approximately 110 sq ft)
Utilities included and 24/7 access
A month-to-month studio agreement (with the option to reapply for a second year)
Our studios are part of a warm, artist-led communitywhere people share ideas, build momentum, and find opportunities together.
Why we’re using ALICE (and why it matters)
For this residency, we’e basing eligibility on ALICEa newer, more realistic way to understand financial hardship.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. In plain language: it describes people who are working, often full-time, but still can’t afford the basics where they live.
We’re choosing ALICE instead of the federal poverty level because the federal poverty level increasingly doesn’t reflect the real cost of living,especially in Florida.
More than 50% of Florida residents fall within ALICE status, which means a huge portion of our community is doing their best to stay afloat while living one surprise bill away from crisis. Artists are often hit even harder, because creative careers tend to be freelance, seasonal, and underpaid.
By using ALICE, we’re aligning this opportunity with the reality we see every day: talented, committed artists who are working hardbut still priced out of the space they need to grow.
What we ask of residents (and what we don’t)
We keep this residency flexible and artist-centered. There are no required studio hours.
Residents are expected to:
Steward their studio responsibly and follow collaboARTive’s studio guidelines
Contribute positively to a collaborative environment
Participate in at least one community touchpoint during the year (for example: an open studio moment, artist talk, workshop support, Creative Community Night, or another mutually agreed contribution)
This is about building a creative ecosystem where artists can thrive economically and artisticallystrengthening our local cultural landscape.
Apply (or share with an artist who should)
If you’re an artist who could benefit from a subsidized studio,or you know someone who should apply,please take a look at the full residency details and application.
Learn more + apply here: https://www.collaboartive.org/creativecommunityresidency
Thank you, Green Family Foundation
To the Green Family Foundation: thank you for investing in artists in a way that’s practical, timely, and deeply meaningful. Affordable studios aren’t just about spacethey’re about stability, dignity, and the ability to keep showing up for your work.
Jean Blackwell Font
Executive Director & Cofounder
collaboARTive.org
