Studio Two Three is a community arts space that offers studios, classes and workshops, artist residency, and open doors. We provide 24/7 access to printing presses, darkroom, digital lab, communal workspace, and individual studios to support art making for personal and social change. We support the role of the arts in civic voice and engagement, partnering with activists and leaders to provide space for creative advocacy initiatives
Our Mission
We empower artists to make art & make change.
Our Vision
We strive for a world in which the power of art is willingly and joyfully harnessed for personal, social, & systemic change.
Our Declaration
We value the dignity and humanity of all people.
We are all artists, no matter how we work and what we make.
We trust ourselves, we trust each other, and we trust our process - there are no failures, only lessons.
We are kind. The world is small - our community is smaller.
We are all at once amateurs, professionals, students and teachers.
We value sharing; space, tools, conversations, ideas, time and energy.
We value stealing; processes, techniques and inspiration (but we don’t take other people’s belongings).
We are creators working in a world that’s precious and finite.
We make art with our hands (print, film and letterpress are alive and well!)
We own what we make.
Our Strategic Plan
In 2019, we celebrated our 10th anniversary by deeply reflecting on the history and future of Studio Two Three. For 6 months, we engaged in a community-centered strategic planning process with The Spark Mill, in which over 500 community members provided feedback.
Since our founding, Studio Two Three has always been committed to the power of the press as a tool for civic engagement and voice. We believe in the capacity of art to transform our communities and envision better futures. We were able to confidently embrace our roots as both artists and activists. We emerged from strategic planning with a mission and vision that aligns with these guiding beliefs.
OUR FOCUS AREAS
Artists are our core: We will empower artists with studio space, education, residency opportunities, a supportive creative community, professional development and career support.
Art is essential for a healthy society: We will work in partnership with artists and advocacy communities to use art making as a tool to amplify voices and agitate for change.
We must secure resources to amplify artists’ voices and vision: We will ensure that we are a strong, healthy and responsive organization that is equipped to empower artists to make art and make change.
Our Supporters
Studio Two Three’s impact is both personal and community-wide. Through our studio memberships and artist residency programs, we transform the lives of individual artists who have 24/7 access to studio space, a creative community of makers, and the tools for production. Through our community programs, we work broadly to shape the cultural geography of our city with public art initiatives, community printmaking, and creative cross-sector partnerships.
Our work is made possible by support from The National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the CDC Foundation, the Golden Rule Foundation, CultureWorks Richmond, and the love and generosity of our community —who value, invest in, and treasure locally-rooted arts.