From a studio apartment to the Broad Room, Sacramento artists find creative support

In 2018, artist Claire Curley was selling her wares out of her studio apartment but missed being a part of a community — especially the Sacramento maker’s scene.

So she created Broad Room, which started as a shared studio space for four or five artists, with drop-in space available. In the last three years it has become a resource for artists of all levels, from hobbyist to professional.

When quarters began to get cramped at the original location on S Street, Curley found a 7,400-square-foot space that could be shared with another business. The artists moved in during the summer of 2019 and at the beginning of 2020, they were able to take over the full space on Del Paso Boulevard and house 20 artists, each with their own affordable spaces.

That’s when the COVID shutdown began and different needs evolved.

Their landlord gave Broad Room a couple of months rent-free to figure out their next steps. During that time, it became clear that many artists were not in a good position to get through such an uncertain time.

In response, Curley and the others at Broad Room set up an artist relief fund and, from March to September of 2020, they paid $10,000 in small amounts to artists who needed something to help them get by.

One product of that was Broad Room’s Free Art Supply Closet, supported by a grant from the Office of Arts & Culture in Sacramento.

“We spent a few months getting it ready and purchasing art supplies that we were able to give to Sacramento artists,” said Curley.

Once the grant money ran out, the need did not. Curley and her associates looked to the community, and were able to continue funding the Art Supply Closet through local donations alone.

Since it was now entirely donation-based, they were able to open up the service to artists in the broader Sacramento area, not just within city limits.

Currently the Free Art Supply Closet is funded through monetary donations, and donations of gently used supplies. Low income and emerging artists are able to take what they need to keep creating and earning.

Broad Room has also started to partner with local organizations, like Neighborhood Wellness and Grant Union High School in Del Paso Heights. The closet has helped provide the school with the art supplies needed to paint a mural. They are working with some students after school and on weekends to encourage their artistic growth.

The pandemic was not welcome, but it did provide clarity for Curley on what was really needed in the Sacramento artists’ community, including the need for accessible art supplies. One recent addition at the Broad Room has been a heat press that people can make appointments to use.

What has the response been from those receiving art supplies?

“People are initially shocked,” Curley said. “It took a lot of explaining at first.”

People are allowed to take up to eight newly purchased items. From the donated supplies, they can take whatever they need.

“Most people are very grateful, and so excited to be able to create again at home,” Curley said.

Curley has also worked with some people who get the supplies for the homeless community.

“Having an art project to work on makes you feel more human,” she said. She said she believes it is important for mental health, and brings enrichment to peoples’ lives. “Art is a human right. Everyone should have access to supplies.”

Some of those who use the closet make a living creating art. Some need the supplies for their personal use as a hobby or for mental health. Some of the supplies go to kids and teachers.

“Art teachers in the public Sacramento schools get something like $500 a year for their supplies,” she said.

For many art teachers, that budget can be used almost entirely on glue.

It’s not just the recipients enjoying the Free Art Supply Closet. Those who donate supplies also take pleasure in helping.

Many people have good art supplies that they only needed for a time, or they found they weren’t using. They are happy to have a place to take those things where they know they will find appreciative new owners, she said.

The community at large will have several opportunities to help in the next few months. Organizers will be setting up drop-off bins for art supplies at many locations around the city starting Black Friday and running through Jan. 5. The drive is being supported partly by the California Arts Council.

One goal for the organizers is sponsoring art shows and open studio time, for the public to be able to see the artists’ work and even the works in progress. Broad Room hosted art shows in 2019 and February of 2020. Some of the artists have also done remote workshops, and the space could be used for more of those in the future as well.

The Free Art Supply Closet at Broad Room is available to anyone by appointment on from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Appointments can be made on the website. If you would like to support the closet, you can do so by offering supplies, making donations on their website or through Patreon, or by purchasing merchandise.

Broad Room also has a storefront with merchandise made in-house. Customers can book an appointment to shop, and items are available on the website for shipping or local pickup. More information about this non-profit can be found at broadroom.org.