Founded in 1981 by artists Martin Weinstein and Teresa Liszka, Art in General’s mission is to assist artists with the production and presentation of new work, changing in response to artists’ needs and informing and engaging the public about their work. Laurel Ptak currently serves as the organization's Executive Director.Since its first exhibition in 1982, Art in General has always provided a spa
ce for artists to display unconventional work and exchange ideas with their peers. Art in General organizes and presents exhibitions, commissions new art projects, hosts national and international artist residency programs, and facilitates regular free public programs with renowned critics and curators. Currently, more than 3,000 artists have exhibited their work at Art in General in a wide range of disciplines—painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, installation art, audio, video art, performance art and new media art.ProgramsThe New Commissions Program, currently Art in General’s central focus, has flourished since its launch in 2005. The program was created in response to artists’ need for support to create major new projects that would significantly advance their practice. Art in General commissions new works from six to eight artists each year, either through an open call, or through direct invitation. Art in General provides commissioned artists with both space and a budget for developing their project, as well as an honorarium. Initially designed for New York based artists, in 2012 this program expanded to include projects by international artists.
