Flux Factory

Flux Factory supports emerging artists through artist-in-residencies and exhibitions, education and collaborative opportunities.  At our two artist-led spaces in Long Island City, Flux builds sustainable communities and retains creative vitality in NYC.  Flux hosts over 75 free multi-disciplinary events each year and since 1994 has hosted over 300 local and international Artists-in-Residence, and staged over 700 multi-disciplinary exhibitions and educational programs.  Flux provides affordable studios to local and visiting artists, as well as shared work spaces, including a music studio, wood shop, screen printing workshop and technical office, and professional development opportunities. 

30 Years of Community Building

In 1994, seven artists rented a former spice factory on the desolate Williamsburg waterfront with no walls, source of water or HVAC. This place of humble beginnings quickly grew into a notorious arts destination as an alternative to the commercial gallery scene. Flux became a 501c3 nonprofit in 1999. In 2002 Flux was priced out and moved to 43rd St in Sunnyside, Queens.  In 2009 Flux was displaced through eminent domain and moved to its current location at 39-31 29th Street in Long Island City. As a grassroots art collective that has slowly grown its outsized impact, Flux’s primary focus is on emerging in-need creatives who have a socially engaged art practice, an interest in building community, and experience working collectively. 

Residency Program

Flux offers a unique Artist-in-Residence program that provides workspace for artists within a socially engaged and immersive environment. Flux hosts over 40 artists annually from around the world, who share a labyrinthine building that houses 16 studios, 7 common workspaces, and a gallery. Residents collaborate and learn from one another to realize new works, propose and produce public programming, and have input in the overall direction of the organization.

A New Future

This new initiative combats xenophobia and conflict with creative projects that facilitate exchange and collaboration between artists and curators from around the world.  In 2024 Flux Factory supported residencies for thirteen Russian artists with US hosts across the country.  This year, the Flux–Armenia Artist Exchange brought five US artists to Armenia to learn alongside local artists and twelve US arts professionals on a study visit to Uzbekistan to become acquainted with the local artist community and visit the Bukhara Biennale.  Flux is also piloting a new residency exchange with the Cleveland Institute of Art, bringing 2 Ohio artists to NYC and 2 NYC artists to Cleveland in 2026.  

Flux IV
Flux IV is a new project space by Flux Factory located in Hunter’s Point South. We prioritize public programming that is mission-aligned and culturally responsive, hosting exhibitions, artist projects, artistic research and workspace, educational workshops, discursive events, screenings, concerts, and experimental formats. Exhibitions and events come through open calls, collaborations with the Flux community (our “collective”), community/institutional partnerships, and more. Since opening spring 2025, Flux IV has mounted 1 major group exhibition, Shared Grounds, in partnership with Finnish Cultural Institute in New York, presented 3 NYSCA solo exhibitions such as Xyza Cruz Bacani: The Diaspora is Home, hosted 2 to 3 resident-curated projects per month, and provides professional development and curatorial mentorship to two year-long Rhizome Fellows who will open exhibitions to the public in 2026. Initiated in 2020, the Rhizome Project has supported four group exhibitions and currently focuses on year-long Fellowships for BIPOC artists. 

Get Involved

Flux’s dynamic artist community is inclusive and constantly expanding.  Please subscribe to our mailing list to learn about upcoming Open Calls, exhibitions, and public programs — 

https://mailchi.mp/fluxfactory.org/mailing-list.