Artists

Our spring Artist-Organizer-in-Residence, Adele Kenworthy sharing her practice with another artist during a studio visit. Photo by Alexandra Silverthorne.

Our commitment to paying artists is why, in 2016, we became the first arts organization between New York and Miami to be W.A.G.E. certified. Annually, nearly 50% of our expenses go directly to artists.

RESIDENCIES WPA supports a residency program for artist-organizers, providing them studio & meeting space, honoraria, production funds, and research support. Artists use the opportunity to conduct collaborative research and experimentation in the public realm. This can include curatorial and editorial research, community organizing, or public programming. This is not WPA’s first residence program—in the 1980s we had a designated apartment and studio space designed by the artist David Ireland.

WHEREWITHAL GRANTS WPA has supported 124 visual artists and arts collectives in the DC area with a total of $220,000 since launching Wherewithal Grants in 2019. Generously funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts as part of its Regional Regranting Program, the program supports a wide range of multidisciplinary practices, particularly those that emphasize collaboration, research, and experimentation.

SPECIAL EVENTS Throughout the year, WPA hosts intimate, special events for our patrons and friends, both at our space and in people's homes. These events provide opportunities to meet contemporary artists, learn about their practices, and explore the artistpatron relationship. If you are interested learning more about these, please contact Peter Nesbett at pnesbett@wpadc.org.