Artpace, San Antonio

Artpace, located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, is a non-profit contemporary art foundation dedicated to fostering creativity and artistic exploration. Since its founding in 1995 by artist, collector, and philanthropist Linda Pace, Artpace has served as a vital hub for both emerging and established artists, offering a dynamic space for dialogue, collaboration, and artistic growth.

Open to the public and free of charge, the foundation is housed in a repurposed 1920s Hudson automobile dealership, encompassing 18,000 square feet of industrial space. The facility includes five exhibition spaces, artist residences, a research library, a workshop, and areas for events and lectures.

A hallmark of Artpace is its International Artist-in-Residence (IAIR) program, which invites nine artists annually to live and create on-site during three four-month cycles. Selected by a guest curator, each cycle features one artist from Texas, one from the United States, and one international artist. Participants receive furnished accommodations, studio access, living expenses, a materials grant, and travel reimbursements.

The program fosters community engagement through a welcoming potluck and a closing exhibition with dialogue. Since its start, IAIR has hosted over 250 artists, with alumni earning global acclaim, including Turner Prizes, MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships, and spots in top exhibitions like the Venice Biennale and Whitney Biennial.

Artpace serves as an educational hub with programs for all ages. Its "Chalk It Up" event turns downtown San Antonio's Houston Street into a vibrant chalk mural canvas, fostering public art, learning, and community engagement in line with Artpace’s mission.

Artpace continues to inspire and support the creative process, providing artists and the public with a unique space to experience and explore contemporary art.