We’ve Secured Our Own Space!

NOTE: This blog was originally posted in 2021 but has been updated to include information relevant for 2025

Studio | A Home For Art

We’ve Secured Our Own Space! How? Our Large Gifts Campaign!

 

Art From The Streets (AFTS) has successfully launched a Large Gifts Campaign to expand our program by securing a permanent location for our program! We say “successfully launched” because we’ve already secured 70% of our $600,000 three year funding goal. This has allowed us to sign the lease paperwork – Wahoo! We are so excited as this has been a dream of our organization for decades. While this is amazing news, we’re not finished.

 

We need your help with the last mile of our race to secure the final 30% of funding.

 

What This Space Provides

Let us tell you a little about what this dedicated facility means to AFTS.

 

This 2,000 square foot space provides room for open studio, storage, events, community collaborations, participation in art shows as one of Austin’s art galleries, and creative events. 

 

• It is easily accessible with convenient parking and bus line access.

• In addition to being surrounded by nature, the space is also surrounded by a creative community that already resides in the complex.  

• It allows us to have all our art supplies organized and centralized under one roof instead of spread out across multiple locations, simplifying our programs logistics for our artists and volunteers. 

• Since it is a dedicated space for AFTS, it enables us to increase the number of creative sessions we offer our artists and we will also be able to expand the mediums we work in. 

We look forward to this permanent home where our artists can create, grow, connect, and thrive.

 

Watch the full presentation of the new studio space here. 

 

Image By: Alicia Wells

What AFTS Brings to The Table 

For those of you who may not be that familiar with Art From the Streets, for 29 years we’ve been working with our local Austin artists, the organization has relied on the generosity of other non-profits to provide the physical space for our program.

The benefits of our program go far beyond the creation and sale of art. As you know, the City of Austin is experiencing a crisis in regards to our neighbors that lack shelter.

While housing is a critical step, housing alone cannot break the cycle of chronic homelessness in Austin. Although there are many causes of homelessness, the catastrophic loss of family and community is the most devastating.

UPDATE FOR 2025

The Pulse of Austin's Art Scene in 2025: Community, Impact, and Accessibility

Austin's reputation as a creative hub continues to flourish in 2025, with local artists serving as the vibrant heart of its unique culture. Beyond the galleries and studios, the city's artistic spirit thrives in community initiatives, public art, and organizations dedicated to making art accessible to all. As we look ahead, the emphasis on local talent, social impact, and innovative approaches to creation and exhibition remains strong.

A shining example of this commitment to community-driven art is Art From the Streets (AFTS). In 2025, AFTS continues its vital work, now celebrating over three decades of providing a safe and encouraging environment for adults experiencing homelessness to engage in artistic expression. Their mission goes beyond just art; it's about fostering personal growth, self-determination, and social connections through creativity.

Key Trends and the Role of AFTS in 2025:

• Growing Demand for AFTS Programs: The demand for AFTS's programs has seen significant growth, with artist participation doubling over the past year. This highlights the increasing recognition of art's therapeutic and empowering benefits, especially for vulnerable populations. In 2025, AFTS continues to expand its reach, offering free, open art studio sessions, workshops, art therapy, and year-round sales opportunities.
• The Power of Storytelling Through Art: AFTS artists, many of whom are unhoused or at risk, use their art to tell powerful stories of lived experiences, resilience, and hope. In 2025, their work continues to resonate deeply with the Austin community, fostering understanding and empathy. Visitors to AFTS shows and online galleries gain a unique perspective, demonstrating art's ability to bridge divides and humanize complex social issues.
• Community Integration and Sales Opportunities: AFTS remains dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to sell their work, with an impressive 95% of proceeds going directly back to the artists. This not only provides crucial income but also instills a sense of pride, self-worth, and tangible achievement. Events like their 2025 Create Change Gala (which took place on April 9, 2025, at The Cathedral) are instrumental in supporting their operating expenses and ensuring these life-changing opportunities continue.
• Art as a Pathway to Stability: In 2025, AFTS continues to underscore that overcoming homelessness requires a holistic approach. By focusing on creative expression, AFTS helps individuals develop a sense of purpose, build social connections with volunteers and fellow artists, and find pathways to self-determination and ultimately, greater stability. Their work demonstrates how art can be a catalyst for broader life improvements, including access to housing and support networks.
• Increased Accessibility and Inclusivity: The broader Austin art scene in 2025, influenced by organizations like AFTS, is increasingly focusing on making art accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. This includes discussions around affordable studio space, exhibition opportunities for underrepresented artists, and programs that bring art directly into communities. AFTS exemplifies this by operating a dedicated studio space and participating in various community art events, ensuring their artists have a voice in professional gallery settings and beyond.

As you explore Austin's vibrant art scene in 2025, remember that the true essence of its creativity lies not just in established galleries, but also in the powerful, often unseen, work of organizations like Art From the Streets. Supporting their mission means investing directly in the lives of local artists, fostering creativity, dignity, and a more inclusive community for all.

AFTS helps our artists create community and connection as well as create a pathway to self-determination through their time in Open Studio and at art sales and events. 

 

Image By: Alicia Wells

We Need Your Help

We are seeking your assistance to secure the last 30% ($180,000 over 3 years) of our funding needs. Please help us continue this dream! 

WITH YOUR HELP we can open our studio doors as a safe and creative space.

WITH YOUR HELP we can foster self-determination and autonomy.

WITH YOUR HELP we can help break the cycle of homelessness. 

If you would like to be a part of this journey, please visit our donations page or contact AFTS Executive Director, Kelley Worden, for more information at director@artfromthestreets.org.

 

Image By: Alicia Wells