Palo Alto Offering Subsidized Apartments To Bay Area Artists

PALO ALTO, CA — The City of Palo Alto is offering below market-rate, rent-stabilized studios to artists in exchange for free public programming, the city announced Wednesday. Through its unique Cubberley Artist Studio Program, Palo Alto has housed more than 150 artists since 1989.

The program aims to promote the arts in Palo Alto, where affordable apartments are notoriously hard to find. “Artists have a tremendous challenge finding affordable studio space on the Peninsula, and many have been priced out of our community,” Palo Alto Public Art Director Elise DeMarzo said in a statement. “CASP helps keep artists in the fabric of Palo Alto’s community.”

The city expects 10 studios to be available starting Jan. 1, 2023. Studios range from 360 to 960 square feet, and rental rates are anywhere from $1.02/sft for Palo Alto residents, and $1.14/sft for non-residents. That means a rental range of anywhere from $367 a month to $1094 a month. Palo Alto pays the remaining rent, and the utilities.

Residency terms last 4 years, but will be 3 years after January 2027.

The city is looking for artists from anywhere in the nine counties of the greater Bay Area who have a “demonstrable commitment to their art and have an exhibition history.” Artists working in a variety of mediums are encouraged to apply, including:

• Printmaking
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Mixed-media
• Photography
• Performance art
• Sound and digital art
• Installation art
• Public art
• Social practice

Applications will be accepted through June 6 at 11:59 p.m. Artists can apply here, and learn more about the program and application guidelines here. A jury of arts professionals will make selections sometime in August, and applicants can expect to be notified in September. Questions can be directed to Elise DeMarzo at [email protected] or (650) 617-3517.