The purpose of the Ali Youssefi Project is to give creative innovators access to opportunities that elevate Sacramento. We invest in people, cultivate ideas, and connect communities.
The Ali Youssefi Project was created by his family in 2019 to honor Ali Youssefi after his death. Ali was a proud Sacramentan and dedicated his work to harnessing the power of community and to uplift the city that he loved. It is with Ali’s impactful legacy in mind that AYP started. It’s our way to celebrate his life’s work and continue to build meaningful projects in his name.
In 2019, with Verge Center of the Arts as our fiscal sponsor, we launched our Artist in Residence Program, the first of its kind in Sacramento. By March 2021 AYP will have served a cohort of ten artists by providing them with living space, studio space, exhibitions, professional development resources, artistic resources, and monthly stipends.
About the Residencies
The purpose of the Ali Youssefi Project Artist in Residency is to give meaningful support to artists and creatives. Our residency program provides visual artists financial support along with time and space to concentrate on their work. This project aims to nurture artists from a diverse range of backgrounds and uplift the work of artists, with a particular focus on underrepresented perspectives and voices. We welcome all visual artists working with a wide range of mediums.
The WAL Residency
The Warehouse Artist Lofts were developed by Ali Youssefi to provide working artists an affordable place to live and create art in the heart of Sacramento. WAL is a mixed-use, transit-oriented community for Sacramento-area artists. Located in the Historic R Street district, WAL is close to many art-related businesses and galleries, including the WAL Residency artist studio at Verge Center for the Arts.
The 3-month WAL Residency is open to artists living outside of the greater Sacramento area.
WAL Resident Receives:
furnished studio apartment at Warehouse Artist Lofts
artist work studio at Verge Center for the Arts
participation in WAL events and Verge programing
$500 monthly stipend
travel stipend of $500 available
end of the year group show at Verge gallery
Please note: Applicants for the WAL residency will need to provide proof of permanent residence beyond a 35-mile radius of Sacramento. WAL applicants are subject to background check upon residency acceptance.
The VERGE Residency
Verge Center for the Arts is the leading cultural institution in the Sacramento region for contemporary art and ideas. Their mission is to extend the dialogue about contemporary art to the central valley. Verge supports this mission by providing vital resources to local career and emerging artists as well as offering arts education opportunities for youth and adults.
The 3-month Verge Residency is open to artists living locally (within a 35-mile radius of Sacramento)
VERGE Resident Receives:
artist work studio at Verge Center for the Arts
$500 monthly stipend
participation in Verge programing
end of year exhibition at Verge
Shared Resources:
Free admission to all Verge member programs
Access to a full service printmaking facility, kiln, and Risograph printer
WiFi
A 300 square foot studio at Verge with 24hr access
Community of up to 50 artists on site at WAL
Community of up to 55 artists working on site at Verge
North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Benefits
Free attendance to Verge special events which coincide with the residency term
Coronavirus disclaimer: WAL and Verge are taking precautions to keep their communities safe during the pandemic. An artist can shelter-in-place in both their studio apartment and Verge work studio. WAL and Verge continue to monitor and comply with public health guidelines.
