For two years of research and planning Linda worked with Laurence Miller, an Austin-based consultant and former museum director, to hone the foundation's vision and develop its unique structure. In January 1995, the Foundation opened its doors, with Miller taking the helm as the Director. Miller, who resigned in April 1999, remains active in the organization in an advisory capacity. ArtPace provides residencies for artists at its 18,000 square foot facility, a renovated 1920s Hudson Automobile Showroom at 445 N. Main. For each residency, three artists are invited to work in the building - one international, one national, and one from the San Antonio region.
All artwork made during the residency belongs to the artist.
ArtPace quickly established an international reputation as a forward-thinking new model for supporting individual artists. Part of the reason for the early success is the rigorous method in which artists are chosen for the residences. We wanted the artists to feel free to experiment. My goal was to give them optimum conditions in which to produce new work. The description I like best of ArtPace is that it is a laboratory of dreams - my own as well as the artists.