AST Foundations: Workshops for Artists
Photo credit: Flee Kieselhorst
About the Workshop Series
AST Foundations offers a free educational workshop series designed to help Bay Area artists prepare for affordable housing opportunities — including those offered by Artist Space Trust. Affordable housing systems can be difficult to navigate — especially for artists managing irregular income, shared living arrangements, or long-term creative practices. AST Foundations workshops are designed to:
Demystify affordable housing and homeownership
Build confidence and readiness over time
Help artists understand what opportunities exist — and how to prepare for them
Workshops are open to artists at any stage of their housing journey. Participation does not guarantee housing, but it can help you be ready when opportunities arise.
CalHome Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Information Session
Feb 19 | 6pm PT | Live on Zoom
Discover how to access up to $200k from AST's CalHome Down Payment Assistance Program.
Available to low-income artist households, this crucial support provides a pathway for first-time homeowners to purchase in Alameda County. Learn about program details in this free one hour session.
The Blueprint: Artist Space Trust and the Community Land Trust Model
Explore how AST uses the Community Land Trust (CLT) model to create permanently-affordable housing and creative space for artists, paving paths to equity and stability.
In this one-hour presentation by AST Staff, attendees will learn what a CLT is, its historical connection to global civil rights activism, and how CLT community ownership works for low-income renters and first-time home buyers.
Leaving a Legacy: Wills & Trusts for Artists
Learn about wills and trusts and why artists should have them, presented in collaboration with licensed estate attorneys.
Attendees will learn the difference between wills and trusts, how to designate heirs, and leave a lasting legacy—to family or to your community.
For artists of all ages.
Artist Access: Low-Income Housing
Learn the ins and outs of the low-income housing landscape in the Bay Area. Many artists qualify for low-income programs such as Section 8 and down payment assistance, but lack clarity on eligibility and how to apply.
This class will provide insight into the opportunities that exist for low-income artists to rent and/or buy, and how to take the next steps.
Buying Together: Creative Paths to Homeownership
Learn about the key considerations when considering buying property together with friends or family, including legal, financial, and ideological considerations.
Whether you want to start an artist co-op or buy a single-family home with some friends, this class will provide an introduction to the landscape of collaborative homebuying.
Learn More About AST and Register for the AST Foundations Workshops
▧ View Upcoming Workshops & Register on Eventbrite →