WASSUP

Opened to the public on September 7, 2024, the Williamsburg Biannual is a new artist space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn serving the creative community of New York City.  Our name is a playful reinterpretation of the international art biennials, such as those hosted in Venice, Sāo Paulo, Istanbul, Dakar, Sydney and Gwangju, all of which feature new art and help launch the careers of artists. Rather than wait every two years for a landmark exhibition, we will regularly present two exhibitions per year, reconnecting the local community to art and allowing exhibiting artists to show a comprehensive body of work for an extended period of time. Exhibitions will be complemented by related programs — music and dance performances, screenings, readings and talks.  

 

Exhibitions are free and open to the public, initially by appointment then ticketed as the organization expands. — All programs, exhibitions, and events will be ticketed, even when free. Ticketing helps to develop accurate visitation records (#) and audience demographics (location) to improve future programming. — Annual membership will be encouraged to develop community and raise funds for programming and operations. 

 

The Williamsburg Biannual will also organize and present public programs. Whenever possible, public programs will be free, or at minimum cost to cover performer/speaker fees and/or production costs.  In addition, the Williamsburg Biannual plans to partner with other nonprofits, that do not have space for public gatherings, to present partnership programs. 

​

Located at 333 Kent Avenue, steps from the iconic Williamsburg Bridge and Domino Park, the Williamsburg Biannual’s home is an adaptive reuse and expansion of a 1920’s 10,000sf warehouse, beautifully designed by JAZ Architect. The Biannual’s premises include over 7,500sf of public gathering space, a black box event space for talks, films and music, an informal auditorium and casual seating area, double height galleries and a private outdoor space. Of those, 4,000sf is dedicated art exhibition space, spread over three levels. Natural light permeates throughout the building, creating a serene environment, an urban oasis for art viewing, personal reflection and contemplation, as well as shared moments of fun, enjoyment, and thoughtful discussion. The space is designed for artists, but its detailing and level of finish will impress donors and collectors.

 

​

WHY NOW?

 

According to the last comprehensive report published by the New York City Comptroller in 2017, the creative sector of New York City employs over 290,000 individuals and generates $110 billion in economic activity, one in every eight dollars that goes into New York City’s coffers. The creative community comprises of visual artists, performing artists, musicians, art dealers, architects, designers, writers, publishers, as well as people working in museums, music production, film, television, and advertising.

 

This pre-pandemic report acknowledged the “volatile employment situations,” “high rate of self-employment,” and “economic insecurity” for creatives. Sadly, the pandemic severely impacted the arts nationwide; and while the arts in other cities and states recovered by January 2021, the creative community of New York City and New York State has not yet fully rebounded, nearly four years after the start of the pandemic. According to the New York City Council, 96,900 artists were employed in July 2019, but by July 2020, only 29,800 artists were employed, a staggering 69% decrease. At the time of  WB's founding in 2023, statistics provided by the office of New York State Comptroller indicated that employment for creatives was at 84,800 in October 2023, 12% below its 2019 level. As of June 2024, arts employment increased and recovered to 93,500, yet remains 3.5% lower than 2019 pre-pandemic level.

 

In addition to individual hardship, arts organizations in New York City and New York State continue to struggle since 2020. According to 2023 Impact of COVID Survey conducted by NYSCA, which received an 80% response rate, 46% of responding art organizations laid off or furloughed staff during the pandemic in 2020, and 45% of the respondents have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels of staffing. Similarly, 43% of responding organizations have not returned to pre-pandemic level of in-person programming, and 56% anticipated fewer visitors in 2023 than 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

 

Opening the Williamsburg Biannual during this period of uncertainty and slow recovery is an affirmation of the founders’ belief in the arts to uplift and enlighten individuals and to build community and the vital role of artists in society, as well as the founders’ love and commitment to the City of New York as the world’s preeminent arts center. The Williamsburg Biannual will provide the creative community of New York City a new place to socialize, gather, present their work, and exchange ideas; yet welcome and appeal to a wider general audience.

 

​

OUR VALUES

 

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the programs and operations of the Williamsburg Biannual. The founders include women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community. We strive to create a more equitable and accessible world. We appreciate the beauty of different cultures, faiths, and ways of being. We understand the importance of representation and intend to use the organization as a platform to amplify the voices of artists and designers who live and work in New York City, whose work is deserving of wider recognition.  We intend to apply these values at every level from our governance to future staffing, selection of exhibiting artists and speakers, and audience development.

 

The founding board understands that access is created by removing barriers, thus allowing physical and social mobility. Regarding the facility, the building is wheelchair accessible with ramps, rails, and an elevator. In addition to program and exhibition opportunities for creatives, the Williamsburg Biannual offers high school and college internship programs, so students may gain professional experience in art administration and exposure to the wide range of career paths within the creative economy.