In the summer of 2006, artist Nick De Pirro formed Project Studios LLC and acquired an unoccupied 5000 sq. ft. floor in the R. Neumann and Company building in Hoboken. Also know as Neumann Leathers, this large complex of buildings was, and continues to be, a workspace hub for artists, musicians, and other creatives. What follows is a brief company profile and rich portfolio summary for Project Studios.
Project Studios is an art services and co-working company for the creative field. We have grown to become the largest tenant in Neumann Leathers and the largest company of its kind in the area, utilizing more than 33,000 sq. ft. of repurposed former factory space in Hoboken, plus 8000 sq. ft. at our Jersey City location. Creative individuals and startup businesses may rent a studio or join one of our membership programs.
We have a mission to provide creative services, individual studio spaces, and membership-based studio gym space. Project Studios also has had exhibition space in New York City and maintains a storefront gallery in rural Indiana called PROTO ZERO. We also have a semi-annual residency program for visual artists, and participate in arts events.
Project Studios also provides technology support for arts organizations, creative companies, and individuals.
Project Studios now offers not only private and semi-private studios, but also 6000 sq. ft. of studio amenities for use by our sub-lessees, licensees, and members. This is a substantial expansion from what we offered just a few years ago. This rich portfolio of resources is provided in the form of well-equipped shops for ceramics, photography, warm-glass, and woodworking. Project Studios also has work areas for printmaking and welding, and a gallery-critique space. A walk-in spray booth accompanies our wood shop.
We provide a wide array of shared tools such as kilns, welding machines, photography strobes, and air-compressors. These would represent a significant cost to an individual artist. All of our members may use any shared shop free of charge.
Our Hoboken building is a short ride from Manhattan, Jersey City, and Newark via the PATH. It is also close to public transportation such as the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail or NJ Transit via the Lackawanna Terminal in Hoboken. The building also has a parking lot for tenants and visitors. The studios occupy three full floors of the main building at Neumann Leathers with additional spaces in the buildings at 66 Willow Ave. and 321 Newark Street. Project Studios is the largest tenant in Neumann Leathers. Our Jersey City studios are located at 98 Forrest St., where we have our welding fabrication shop and additional visual art studios.
Our purpose is to support the arts using a small business model. We don’t rely on a non-profit grants model. We believe that art can be profitable for individuals within their own studio practice. Project Studios achieves this by providing inexpensive space, equipped shops, shared workspaces, and exhibition opportunities. Project Studios artists can function as professionals even without substantial income.