NEWARK, NJ—What began as a temporary pop-up gallery has been transformed into a permanent arts hub in one of Newark's landmark office complexes. With the support of C&K Properties, The Gateway Project will expand from an exhibition space to a permanent 25,000 square foot facility in 2 Gateway that includes sixty rentable artist studios, an artist residency program, and a gallery space.

CBRE's Dudley Ryan, the exclusive leasing agent for 2 Gateway, brokered the transaction.

The revamped facility is slated to open on April 30, with its first exhibition in the new gallery space, Color Polemics : Exploring Conversations of Race, Art, and Politics in America.

"We are thrilled to be expanding opportunities for artists and creative businesses not only at a local level, but by opening more doors with connections nationally and internationally as well," says Rebecca Jampol, co-director of The Gateway Project. "The Gateway Project will be a resourceful arts complex for the City of Newark, comparable to that which one would find in New York City."

The Gateway Project expansion is not only marked by an increase in physical space, but also a vast growth in programs, and opportunities for multidisciplinary artists. The new facility will span more than three floors in 2 Gateway Center, which attaches to Newark's Penn Station. The Project will offer affordable studios to artists and cultural practitioners. Studio tenants will be provided with a diverse array of significant amenities including: 24 hour indoor access to Newark Penn Station's transportation systems (PATH, NJ Transit, Amtrak, LightRail); 24 hour access to secure and monitored studio facilities; high speed WiFi internet; and temperature controlled studios. The Project is also cultivating bi-monthly open studio events, and a program for artists to interface with visiting critics, curators, and collectors.

The Gateway Project's non-profit arm will be organized through its partner organization, Project for Empty Space, which aims to create spaces and programs that address social issues and inspire social discourse through contemporary art. The Gateway Project Gallery and Residency Program exist within this arena, and directly address this mission.

"The Gateway Project has invigorated previously empty, underutilized space in the heart of downtown Newark," says Jasmine Wahi, co-director of The Gateway Project. "The gallery and studios will play an important role in helping to continue moving forward the renaissance happening here in Newark. Art is inspiring and we are proud that our residency programs will have community outreach components in place to engage students, residents, workforces and visitors year-round."

The Gateway Project Residency Program and Gallery Space is for mid-career to established artists whose practices work within the context of social engagement. Participants are selected biannually and will present an exhibition in the Gateway Project Gallery at the conclusion of their residency. The first cycle of participating artists will be announced in mid-April.