ABOUT CEDARS UNION
Our Story:
In 2015 The Cedars Union was formed to create community work space and training opportunities for artists, featuring private and shared studio spaces with state-of-the-art facilities and tools. The Boedeker, a historic 50,000 square foot building, was purchased for the project, but due to its large scale, a proof-of-concept model was built in the space next door. This test space, the Annex, opened in August 2018 and began fulfilling the CU mission of providing tools and studio space for 15 to 19 studios artists, along with public programming. In 2019, The CU expanded its offerings by creating a Community Membership to serve artists unable to obtain a private workspace in the Annex. We welcomed a third cohort of studio artists into the Annex in January 2021, and our list of Community Members is ever-growing.
We are continually working towards an expansion in the Boedeker and are both eager and patient to announce more information on this project. Today the building houses our administrative offices and is used for special events and pop-up exhibitions.
About the Annex:
The 7,000 sq. ft. building hosts micro-studios, a common work space, tools, equipment, and classrooms for all members. Artists of all mediums work side by side in the custom studios, creating a collaborative and supportive community.
The CU has a comprehensive approach to helping emerging artists become financially successful. We have a team of experienced professionals with skills that are unique to this concept of arts, entrepreneurship, and business. Our programs equip emerging creatives with the business skills and acumen to thrive as working artists.
North Texas is a vibrant international art community where art is celebrated and artists thrive.
Inspire collaboration between the community and the arts; be inclusive and diverse; uphold the highest standards; respect artists’ creative expression and protect their rights.
The Cedars Union is a W.A.G.E. certified organization. W.A.G.E., Working Artist and the Greater Economy, creates minimum wage standards for creative work with a mission to establish sustainable economic relationships between artists and the institutions that contract our labor, and to introduce mechanisms for self-regulation into the art field that collectively bring about a more equitable distribution of its economy. Being certified by W.A.G.E. is a promise from The Cedars Union to abide by their payment standards for artists we hire. We see this promise as an essential part of our larger Art and Equity Initiative, and our value to protect artists' rights. To view the rest of the plan for our Art and Equity Initiative, click HERE
ABOUT CEDARS UNION
Our Story:
In 2015 The Cedars Union was formed to create community work space and training opportunities for artists, featuring private and shared studio spaces with state-of-the-art facilities and tools. The Boedeker, a historic 50,000 square foot building, was purchased for the project, but due to its large scale, a proof-of-concept model was built in the space next door. This test space, the Annex, opened in August 2018 and began fulfilling the CU mission of providing tools and studio space for 15 to 19 studios artists, along with public programming. In 2019, The CU expanded its offerings by creating a Community Membership to serve artists unable to obtain a private workspace in the Annex. We welcomed a third cohort of studio artists into the Annex in January 2021, and our list of Community Members is ever-growing.
We are continually working towards an expansion in the Boedeker and are both eager and patient to announce more information on this project. Today the building houses our administrative offices and is used for special events and pop-up exhibitions.
About the Annex:
The 7,000 sq. ft. building hosts micro-studios, a common work space, tools, equipment, and classrooms for all members. Artists of all mediums work side by side in the custom studios, creating a collaborative and supportive community.
The CU has a comprehensive approach to helping emerging artists become financially successful. We have a team of experienced professionals with skills that are unique to this concept of arts, entrepreneurship, and business. Our programs equip emerging creatives with the business skills and acumen to thrive as working artists.
North Texas is a vibrant international art community where art is celebrated and artists thrive.
Inspire collaboration between the community and the arts; be inclusive and diverse; uphold the highest standards; respect artists’ creative expression and protect their rights.
The art community often lacks cohesion and a collective vision. Many artists are never able to be integrated and admired in the broader community. We seek to cultivate, integrate, and proliferate the work of artists of every background and style.
The Cedars Union is a W.A.G.E. certified organization. W.A.G.E., Working Artist and the Greater Economy, creates minimum wage standards for creative work with a mission To establish sustainable economic relationships between artists and the institutions that contract our labor, and to introduce mechanisms for self-regulation into the art field that collectively bring about a more equitable distribution of its economy. Being certified by W.A.G.E. is a promise from The Cedars Union to abide by their payment standards for artists we hire, is a part of our larger Art and Equity Initiative, and our value to protect artists' rights.
Meet the Team
Emma Vernon
Executive Director
Matthew Bowdon
Danielle Naylor
Director of Operations
Cat RIGDON
Manager of Development & Marketing
taylor gibson
Programs Manager
Our Board of Directors provides support and guidance for the collaborative community and ensures the needs of the artists are met by upholding the standards and principles the non-profit was founded on. We are currently looking to expand the focus and directive of the board and are actively recruiting qualified members.
Caroline Kim
President
Andrea Perez
Vice President
Kristina Hart
Secretary
Jennifer Luney
Treasurer
Jessica Bell
Member
Kenneth Bowdon
Member
Megan Bowdon
Member
Arthur Fields
Member
Anne Lenhart
Member
Lynett Rogers
Member
Mike Geisler
Member
Frequently Asked Questions
Good question! We work towards answering that for ourselves every day. At our formation The Cedars Union used business incubators as a model for the arts -- centers where entrepreneurs would receive counsel and investment in new ventures. The Cedars Union version is best seen in our Cohort model, where fifteen artists spend eighteen months in our studios receiving increased exposure, community, and tool access as well as guidance in art business, project design, grant applications, and more. How much one gets out of the incubator is largely dependent on the artist as we have no requirements for participation, but when taken advantage of, artists at The Cedars Union experience impressive growth in their artwork, network and professional practice.
Visit our Join Page for information and applications.
Artists can join the Cedars Union in two ways: by being accepted into our Cohort program with a private studio, or by becoming a Community Member.
Community Members require no formal application and can join any time, paying $80/month for six months or $100/month for a single month. They receive RFID Keycards with 24/7 access to shared workspaces and tools and are invited to attend all member critiques, demos and workshops. Those in the Cohort program are accepted through a juried process and receive a private microstudio for eighteen months. They too receive training via critiques, demos, and workshops but also get a curated group show and benefit from exposure through studio tours, open studios, and studio visits from local art professionals.
Visit our Join Page for information and applications.
Towards the end of the current Cohort, The Cedars Union opens applications for the next, asking for art images or files, a written statement of intent or a short video. While applying artists state preference for a studio size. After the deadline The Cedars Union’s jurors (none of which are on staff) review applications and assign each one with a numerical value. The jurors rank artists based on the merit of the work and application, need for community, and capacity to grow within the incubator process. All of the scores are tabulated together, giving us the top applicants. The Cedars Union is currently on its fourth Cohort. Cohort 4 will run from July 5th, 2023 through January 3rd, 2025. Applications for Cohort 5 will open in October of 2024. Stay Tuned! All practitioners are welcome and encouraged to apply.
Monthly Members are not approved through the jury process; only artists seeking to become a CU Studio Artist.
Absolutely. We have public programs that range from talks with gallerists and artists, hands-on workshops, private lessons, and community events. Many of our lectures focus on entrepreneurship in the arts, offering much needed education on topics like copyright, taxes, marketing, and grant writing. Please join our mailing list and follow us on social media to stay up to date with upcoming events. Sign up Now
Micro-studios are open-format spaces for working artists. They were designed by our founders with use and function in mind. Each studio is built without doors and features custom walls with varying heights based on the size of the studio.
Their design reinforces the communal focus of our space — each space has open sight lines across the entire studio floor to encourage communication and critique while still providing privacy and security. The walls create a grid-based modular system which allow artists to customize the arrangement and height of both their working surfaces and storage to suit their needs.
The Cedars Union has on-site parking located on the side of the building. Additional parking is located behind the red building next door, which can be accessed through the main lot.
Street parking in front of the building on Ervay Street is also permitted.
The Cedars Union is not designed for public drop in but we’d be delighted to give you a tour with an appointment.
Click Here to Schedule a Tour.
If you can’t come in just yet check out our facility offerings and video tour on our <a href="/the-annex">Annex</a> page.
Our meeting room is available for rent for events with 40 people or lower. On certain occasions the Boedeker may be rented as well. For enquiries please click here.