Exner Block

Once this application is submitted and reviewed (up to 1-2 weeks) you will receive contact as to whether or not you were selected, the availability of the apartments, and what type of waiting list there is. Once you are selected for residency based upon your initial application, an apartment will be reserved for you and the second stage of applying will begin (financial eligibility - done through Northern Community Management Corp). This process usually takes up to 3 weeks for all of the paperwork to be finalized. Once you are approved by NCMP you can move in.

One 2 Bedroom Apartment with Wheelchair Accessibility will be opening soon!

In order to be selected as a resident artist various criteria need to be fulfilled. The most important aspect is whether or not you are a practicing artist. There are many affordable housing options in Vermont, but the Exner Block is unique in that the tenets are all artists (this includes musicians). We practice developing community as a key element to the success of the building. Every year we host two open studio tours which usually happens on Memorial Day and in the Fall. In May of this year over 100 people walked through the various studios and the gallery to see what was happening. We also encourage artists to participate in The Exner Block Community Service program which covers a variety of venues in town (4 hours per month). This can range from contributing to the development of the gallery exhibitions downstairs, to hosting open mics in town, to updating the ramp website (it's mostly self directed).

From a financial point of view, since our apartments are subject to the affordable housing guidelines, there are income caps to being accepted as well. The rent for the apartments ranges from $350 - $600/month depending upon you income level and the size of your apartment. This includes heat and hot water. Definitive income amounts will be added to the site very soon once we receive the numbers from Northern Community Management Corp.

We look forward to hearing your questions, please check out the application and email Robert McBride with any interest.

Bellows Falls, VT (pop. 3500) is located in Southeastern Vermont and is situated along the Connecticut River which serves as the state line for New Hampshire and Vermont. Bellows Falls hosts a visitors center for the Connecticut River National Byway. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the local topography of the Connecticut River inspired the construction of a canal system to make the Connecticut River navigable. After the introduction of the railroads in the mid-19th century, mills were constructed to take advantage of hydro power and plentiful water. As a transportation hub and manufacturing center, Bellows Falls became the "market town" for the regional agricultural economy. For more information about the history of Bellows Falls, please consult From Mills to Main Streets.

The center point of the downtown district is the clock tower which rises above the Bellows Falls Opera House (a beautifully restored theater where one can see movies and live performances). Other downtown businesses include art galleries, a traditional hardware store, antique stores, custom tailors, healing centers, banks, municipal offices, fitness centers, a traditional barber, a printer, a framery and eateries. Gorgeously restored Victorians appoint the village streets. On the outskirts of town one can find large warehouses where paper, dairy products, and farm equipment were manufactured at one time. The hydroelectric dam is still in place and produces electricity from water that passes through the canal.

Every Friday during the spring, summer, and early falls months, Bellows Falls hosts a Farmers Market for the community. Farmers bring organic produce, meats, juices, breads, maple syrup, ice cream, and other goodies. On the third Friday of every month Art Walk draws folks into town to see the most current work of regional and national artists. Another convenience is Amtrak stops right downtown: this line travels to Springfield, MA, Hartford and New Haven, CT (options to transfer to Boston), New York City and continues on to Washington D.C.

Many members of the community strive to preserve the historic charm of this town while encouraging creative individuals to relocate to the area. There is a strong constituency of people who work collaboratively to realize public projects. The Exner Block and RAMP are two of these successful endeavors. Visit the walking tour to learn more about the history and architecture, in Bellows Falls.

At this time, the schedule for 2007 in the Exner gallery is booked. Check back in early 2008 for upcoming show opportunities.

The Exner Block gallery is currently searching for an intern who would like to partake in running a non-profit gallery for a period of time. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is studying the arts (either studio, history, or administration) to develop skills in all aspects of running a small non-profit gallery space.

1. Creating Show Concepts, Developing Call For Entries, Jurying Works.
2. Preparing the gallery for a show, hanging work, cataloging pieces, making labels.
3. Generating Advertising for the show: press release, ads, etc.
4. Uploading information about the show to the website.
5. A time commitment of approximately 20 hours per month.

The intern will meet weekly with their guide for a period of two hours to receive feedback, guidance, and instruction when needed. Currently, the mentor in place has served in a retail gallery setting for over 6 years. She managed a gallery in both Woodstock, NY and Red Bank, NJ and then she transitioned to a high end gallery in New York City where she worked for two years. This wonderful experience will prepare you for the gallery world in many respects. No stipend is offered at this time so time commitments can be negotiated. Please contact Dawn Russell for more information.

Currently all of the storefronts are rented. For more information about future openings contact Robert McBride at ramp@sover.net.