ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Artists are being sought to fill multiple studio spaces at Long Reach Village Center. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until studios are filled. Applicants will be evaluated based on their artistic discipline, artistic merit and commitment, as well as the appropriateness of their activities for the available space.

"The Howard County arts community is one of the most creative, prolific and diverse throughout our state and I'm thrilled to see this program come to fruition to provide space for artists and their important work," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement. "This is another step in the Long Reach Rising Revitalization Project, which will result in a central hub of the art, education, and economic empowerment in Howard County." Long Reach studio artists will enjoy a prime location as a part of Howard County's Long Reach Rising Revitalization Project and will have the opportunity to showcase their work in pop-up galleries and other special events on the premises once these programs are put in place.

The program is seeking artists representing a variety of disciplines and will require artists to use their studios for an average of eight hours a week. There will be three suites available, with multiple artist studios in each that will be managed by Howard County Arts Council. The available studios range in size from 120 to 187 square feet.

"We are excited about supporting the Long Reach Rising revitalization effort by working with the County to launch the Long Reach Artist Studio Program," said Coleen West, executive director of the Howard County Arts Council, in a statement. "There is a well-documented need for affordable working space for artists in our community. This new studio program will help the Arts Council fill that need and, at the same time, be part of re-imagining the village center as a hub for artists and creativity."