For starving artists, you may have a home in 2011

Word that Artspace is committed to opening an art co-op in or near downtown Elgin was received with the enthusiasm of a farmer watching the skies open up during a drought.

"There are people here. They need opportunities, places to play, to make and exhibit," said Sean Hargadon, producing director at the Elgin-based Janus Theatre and member of the city's Cultural Arts Commission. "That's great news."

Added Marv Causey, a longtime Elgin resident and photographer: "I think it's an excellent idea, especially for struggling artists trying to get started."

The not-so-good news is that it won't open until late 2011 at the earliest and not every artist who applies for residency will land an apartment there.

Stacey Mickelson, Artspace director of government relations, said most projects have long waiting lists for residency.

The 29-year-old Minneapolis-based group uses federal, state and local grants to convert old buildings into lofts and apartments for struggling artists.

Artspace has 23 projects in 14 states and no two are alike. Many have retail or gallery space on the ground floor.

In order to qualify for an apartment, an artist must have a demonstrated body of work and make a fraction of the Kane County median income for a family of four. In this case, that's about $31,680 a year.

Artspace projects have a minimum of 25 apartments and officials point to the synergy created by shows, exhibits and foot traffic.

"Amazing things can happen when a group or artists move into a space," said Wendy Holmes, Artspace's vice president of resource development.

Don't expect deluxe accommodations. There will be no granite countertops, crown molding and fireplaces.

Each will be relatively spartan - a naked I-beam here an exposed brick wall there - but open enough for artists to live and create at rent that is below market.

For example, efficiencies are usually about 800 to 900 square feet at up to $767 a month. One- and two-bedroom unit are about 1,100 and 1,400 square feet, respectively. Those rents range from $540 to $993 a month.

"We try to create spaces that are large enough so you have space to actually do your work," Mickelson said.

Artspace officials don't have a site picked out, and they don't know exactly what form the building will take. It could be new construction, revamping an old building or a combination of both.

To help plan the project, artists should fill out a survey at www.ArtspaceElgin.org between now and Sept. 18.

Holmes said 40 eager artists found and completed the survey before the Web site was even announced. And of those, 24 expressed an interest in living space.