The Application Process
Before applying, please read What You Need to Know.
1. APPLY TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR APPLICANT POOL
This is the first step. Inclusion in the Applicant Pool means only that successful applicants will be notified as soon as a Live/Work space becomes available. See below for subsequent steps.
To apply to be considered for inclusion in our Applicant Pool, applicant must complete and submit the online application form. The form asks for:
applicant’s art website URL. The website must include:
at least 10 examples of artwork from the last three years, labeled with date, size, and medium.
artist resume (include artistic activities with dates: education/training, exhibition history, professional experience, awards, grants, residencies, etc)
artist statement
two references: Contact information for recognized art professionals who can attest that applicant is a working artist and would be a good community member as part of a cooperative.
statements explaining:
why applicant wants to live here
what applicant will contribute to the cooperative community
what experience applicant has had working in community service, volunteerism, board participation or community leadership roles
Without the above information, applications will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
Applications are reviewed monthly; when a space is open, they are reviewed as soon as possible.
Please note: City of Boston artist certification is not a factor in eligibility for membership. We are not part of the City of Boston artist housing program and require our own application process.
2. Applicant Pool
Once a complete application has been reviewed by the cooperative’s Artist Membership Committee (AMC), the applicant will be notified of the results by email.
The Applicant Pool is not a waitlist. When the cooperative is ready to announce an available share to the Applicant Pool, all artists in the Applicant Pool will be notified via email with a description and cost of the available space. Interested applicants will then be given the opportunity to view the available space. Governing documents will be provided upon request.
Please note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to keep the AMC informed of any change in contact information. If the AMC is unable to reach an applicant by email, he or she will be removed from the applicant pool. Artists in the Applicant Pool will be asked to update materials every three years to remain active in the Applicant Pool.
3. selection process
After viewing the Live/Work space, applicants who are interested in proceeding will move to the next steps, which include:
financial review
if planning to finance the purchase, obtaining a financial pre-approval letter from the National Cooperative Bank (NCB), OR
if a cash sale, a review of financials submitted to the Cooperative’s Treasurer
an interview with the AMC
reference checks
After this review process, the AMC selects an “Eligible Artist” and the process moves to Step 4.
4. FINANCIAL QUALIFICATION OF SELECTED APPLICANT
If cash sale only, the selected artist will be asked to submit documents for a full review to determine financial qualifications. A list of required documents will be given to the selected artist. Requested materials must be postmarked by certified mail or dropped off within 5 days of notification of selection. The National Cooperative Bank financially qualifies applicants who seek a loan for the purchase price. The bank qualifies those requesting financing with a pre-approval letter.
5. FINAL APPROVAL
Following successful review and approval of financials, the selected applicant will be notified of finalist status. The cooperative’s Treasurer will connect the real estate attorneys of buyer and seller with the cooperative’s attorney, and finalist may proceed with purchase from seller.
6. selected artist NOT approved as FINALIST
If selected artist is not approved as finalist, a new selection will be made (steps 3-5)