From the inception of ArtOrg, providing facilities to artists has been an important goal. Specialized art studios with dedicated equipment allow artists to create specialized works and also hold specialized classes. We call this idea “Equipment-Intensive-Studios” or EIS.

We want to create studios where artists pay a monthly fee to use the studios, create works for the studio to support ongoing costs, give their own specialized classes and seminars for both beginning and established artists, and also allow public schools to have access to equipment and usetechniques that are not supported in today’s shrinking education budgets. Graduate artists from our two colleges could stay here in Northfield and continue their work on equipment very similar to the colleges’ resources. Printmaking, Ceramics, Glass Blowing, Jewelry, Photography, Metalsmithing, and a host of other disciplines cannot be done without dedicated spaces and great equipment. Here are some examples of of what these studios look like.

The EIS idea was first put down in writing when ArtOrg presented its business plan to ArtSpace and The McKnight Foundation on June 7 of 2004. The plan was warmly received by both entities, but alas, ArtSpace defered to Carleton’s acquisition of the old Northfield Middle School. The old Middle School would have been the ideal location in which to locate many community arts groups.

However, the EIS concept is still strong, and ArtOrg and others are actively working with Mendota Homes to show that EIS can be an economically viable model. To house EIS and artist housing together would have strong synergy. In fact, John Mathern of Mendota Homes may be able to build an arts building off with artist housing and a strong group of Equipment-Intensive Studios. We are very excited and supportive of Northfield’s effort to help Mendota Homes realize that goal.

ArtOrg has taken this lead in EIS development, and wants to demonstrate feasibility and viability of the concept to the community by “just doing it”. Our Printmaking Department has organized several tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment, and completed a very successful “The First Edition” print project. We have the equipment, we have the artists and printmakers, and the only thing we need now is a facility. We are working on finding a home for the printmakers now, and this home that would be temporary, but allow us to prove the financial and human concepts of the EIS model.

Thanks to all involved in making these Equipment Intensive Studios a reality.