About Session at Recess

Recess is an artists’ workspace that is open to the public. Recess facilitates informal exchanges between artists and audiences in order to promote the productive space of the working artist as a site for valuable visual and intellectual encounters. Our endeavors generate critical exposure for the artists we support while fostering an inclusive environment in which artists and the public can engage in meaningful conversations around art and ideas.

The Session program supports the creation of new work by providing flexible work and exhibition space, funding, professional development, and resources to artists to realize ambitious projects in partnership with communities. In addition, selected artists work with Recess to develop a series of public programs and realize individual creative and professional goals. Session moves beyond a traditional residency structure. It places emphasis on fostering interactions between artists and audiences throughout the entirety of the creative process.

Session artists receive an unrestricted honorarium of $1,500 as well as a project stipend based on the material needs of their Session. Artists have access to the space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the full duration of their Session, and, throughout this time, they are expected to work on a daily basis or the equivalent of at least 20 hours per week. Session artists also receive individualized support from Recess staff as well as visits from members of Recess’s Advisory Board, which is comprised of leading gallerists, editors, artists, curators, and academics.

In conversation with Recess staff, artists designate their own work hours, which must overlap with at least 15 of Recess’s 30 public hours each week. Working during public hours allows Session artists to connect with visitors through visual, aural, and/or performance-based materials or activities. If the artist chooses to work in part when the space is closed to the public, his/her presence must be implied during open hours through the display of site-specific work in process.

Recess’s Session program is located at 46 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn. The 1,200 square-foot space features high ceilings and a glass storefront window that opens to our Recess resource room and also visibly links artists to the street, the neighborhood, and the public. The space is equipped with a kitchenette, wifi, tools, AV equipment, basic woodshop equipment, a storage area for project materials, and access to Assembly Artist Apprentices. To see photos and a floor plan of the space visit our Flickr page. Public hours in Soho are Tuesday–Saturday, 12–6pm; Thursday, 2–8pm.