Through a Project Serving Artists grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA), the Newark Arts Council (NAC) has addressed one of the most pressing issues facing artists today: space. Expanding upon its Artists Match Program, the NAC, has begun systematically identifying available artist workspace in the Newark area. As space is identified the Newark Arts Council will add it to this ever-growing on-line directory.

This directory is only one part of a multifaceted plan to open Newark's doors to artists. Based on the results of the recent artist housing survey, the Newark Arts Council has contracted the Actors' Fund to conduct a feasibility study of specific properties for the development of permanent artist live/work space in Newark. In the Autumn of 2002 and 2003, the Newark Arts Council hosted Open Doors Newark´s own open artist studio and available space tour in which active artist studios were featured on the same tour as available space for rent/purchase.

Although artists see New York City as a terrific opportunity for career advancement, many cannot afford the cost of living in the city; they then look for more affordable housing in the New Jersey area, which offers all of Manhattan's career benefits at a fraction of the cost. Transportation thus looms large in the artists' minds. As a major hub of mass transportation, and a planned light rail system to better serve local transportation needs, Newark offers a convenient and reliable access point to New York City. Furthermore, Newark itself offers many artist opportunities, such as the Newark Museum, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Aljira, among others.