Westbeth Artists Community
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Westbeth Artists Community, located at 463 West Street in the West Village neighborhood of the New York City borough of Manhattan, is the largest such community in the world. This low to middle income rental housing was developed with the assistance of the Kaplan Fund and federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1968 to house artists, their families, and their studios.
Westbeth resides in the former Bell Telephone Laboratories (1868-1966), one of the largest industrial research centers and home to many inventions. After two years of renovations by Richard Meier, Westbeth opened in 1970 for artists, dancers, musicians, actors, writers and film makers. Artists of all disciplines are admitted for residency in Westbeth after review by a committee in their discipline. They also must meet certain financial requirements. As of March 2007, the waiting list for new applicants was closed until further notice. There are 383 residential units as well as commercial spaces, and rehearsal and artists' studios in thirteen inter-connected buildings.
[edit] Organizations
The tenant-elected Westbeth Artists' Residents Council provides free cultural events to the public such as readings, performances, and films, and runs the Westbeth Art Gallery which exhibits the work of both resident and outside artists. The Council receives grants from the offices of NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Assemblyman Thomas Duane as well as public funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs for its programs. Other tenant groups include the Westbeth Artists Committee and the Westbeth Artists in Residence.
In addition to housing, Westbeth is also home to a number of cultural organizations, including the New School Drama School, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, the Bank Street Theatre, the Brecht Forum, and Beth Simchat Synagogue - the first gay and lesbian synagogue in the village.
[edit] Famous Residents
Westbeth Artists Housing has been home to a number of influential artists including Diane Arbus, Gil Evans, Moses Gunn, Vin Diesel, Billy Harper, Joseph Chaiken, Hans Haacke, Robert De Niro, Sr., Ed Sanders, Ralph Lee, Christina Maile, Edith Stephen, Toni Dalton and Robert Beauchamp.
