ClearWater rents space to artists who are serious about doing quality work, building their practice and growing their business. We have artists working in a variety of mediums - fine art painters, stained & slumped glass, pottery, fabric/ textiles, sculpture, assemblage, wood and metal. The old storage shed along Kerr Street was converted into the new Ceramics Center which opened in Nov. 2023 providing pottery and other clay classes, but no individual studios. Anticipated future up-fits include a sculpture or metal working studio, large classrooms, and/ or a recording studio/ practice room; dependent upon funding. To date, renovation funding for ClearWater derives from HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the City of Concord for community development, and other grants.
If you are a teaching artist, we may be able to accommodate your classes as a Guest Instructor here at ClearWater; see the Classes page for more info.
See studio rental info below. To get on the waiting list, please contact the ClearWater Coordinator.
See below for info on how to apply. Rigorous criteria and standards are applied in a jury process, for an artist to join ClearWater ArtS Center & Studios.
Studios in an Old Site
Renovations to the WaterWorks Building (1-2 large studios) and phase one of the Operations Building (including 12 studios and a 2,200 square foot gallery) were completed in Fall 2011. Phase two of the Operations Building, a 1,683 square foot studio/ workshop that is home to the Southern Piedmont Woodturners Association, was completed in January 2013. The Ceramics Center rehab, of the building adjoining the “ClearWater Market” along Kerr Street, was completed in 2023.
Private studios are a simple space the tenant must outfit; no two are alike. Rental rates vary, depending on studio size. Rents help sustain operating costs and, per HUD community Investment requirements, these studios will remain below market value as a means to 'incubate' the artistic economy while vitalizing Gibson Village and the City of Concord with creative activity. There is a waiting list. Call the ClearWater Coordinator to join the list.
All studios are treated as the artist's place of business; and artists are thought of as a contributing sector of the local economy. Access for artists is 24/7 with an expectation of vigilance to contribute to the joint security and safety of all.
Unique Space
Each studio and common space maintains a unique industrial quality, reminiscent of the site's former uses. Wear and tear on the original concrete floors is still visible, but refined with a clear sealer. Ceilings in most studios are open to black exposed duct work and metal rafters.
Environmental sustainability is a priority for all renovations at ClearWater. Materials used include energy efficient windows, doors, insulation, restroom fixtures, and HVAC systems.
RENTAL RATES & CONDITIONS
Studio Lease Rates – 2023-24 Fiscal Year*:
*Lease rates are subject to change in any Fiscal Year, as approved by Concord City Council.
Sliding Fee Schedule – Artist Studio Leases:
Up to 250 sq ft - $5.50 per sq ft/year
251-600 sq ft - $5.25 per sq ft/year
601-1499 sq ft - $5.00 per sq ft/year
1500+ sq ft - up to $3.50 per sq ft/year
Basic Leasing Conditions
Artists Leasing studio space at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios are juried-in; their application undergoes a review of their work according to Criteria defined by the the ClearWater Artists Coalition (CAC), a consortium of tenant artists of which every leasing artist is automatically a member. As part of the jury process, applicant artists must answer a questionnaire that covers how serious they are about their art, as well as how they will contribute to the community of artists in the space, including helping produce CAC-hosted events and joint shows. All CW artists are also asked how they can help the space be accessible to the community at large. Many give classes or lessons in their studios. They routinely open their studios to tour groups, on 2nd Saturday Open Studio days - where the public can watch artists at work — and on event days.
Click on each link to review Jury Criteria, Benefits/ Expectations of CW artists, and the Application Form. (You will need to download this and email it, to submit the form). Please only submit an Application Form when a studio is available to lease. We keep a Waiting List; every artist on the list gets notified when a vacancy occurs, and is given the opportunity to apply at that time. Applications are reviewed by ClearWater Coordinator and the CAC together.
All CW leasing artists sign a lease from the City of Concord; and must hold a liability insurance policy for the duration of their lease. Additionally they must agree to abide by the rules outlined in the lease, the CAC Bylaws, and as delivered by the Coordinator. Access to studios for leasing artists is 24/7, with the understanding that each artist is jointly responsible for security and safety of the premises.
Connecting...
Beyond Renting a Studio
There are other ways to access ClearWater as an artist even if you're not leasing a private studio; Guest Artist shows, Joining the ClearWater Artist Coalition (CAC) as an affiliate member, seminars for artists, teaching as a Guest Instructor, and opportunities for collaborations or Uncommon Interactions (you might end up proposing one!). See Our Space, Artists, Events, and Classes for more info. ClearWater offers community to all artists seeking it; visit Open Studios every 2nd Saturday, sign up for our newsletter to learn about open figure-drawing sessions and other artist- oriented events, and get involved!
