The Watermill Center, as we know it, opened to the public in 2006. A former abandoned Western Union research facility, Wilson renovated the building, while maintaining its original footprint. Today, The Watermill Center buildings consist of a 20,000+ square foot main facility, a separate wood-shop and an outdoor studio.
The Center does not provide a traditional theater or studio environment. The main studio spaces have black-stained hardwood floors, white walls, and many windows. There is no separation between studio and gallery or living and working spaces, and The Watermill Collection is carefully curated throughout The Center. Artists have the unique opportunity to work amongst these museum pieces and to work with The Center staff to re-curate their environments. Watermill encourages artists to engage with the collection and architecture, and to explore all facets of The Center, inside and out.
In addition to our International Summer Program and Artist Residency Program, The Watermill Center hosts lectures, conferences, brunches, weddings, retreats, workshops, site visits, tours, staff meetings and educational programs.
For any rental inquires, please email elka.rifkin@watermillcenter.org
FIRST FLOOR
- Epoxy over cement floors, unless otherwise noted
- Garage gallery (8′ h x 72′ l x 28′ w [2.5m h x 22m l x 8.5m w)
- Rolling garage doors (heated)
- Can be used for workspace, office space, and receptions
- Research library with print and audio-visual materials
- Fully-equipped kitchen
- Dining room (capacity: 50)
- Outdoor dining courtyard (capacity: 100)
- Public bathrooms with showers
- 3-in-1 handicap accessible
- Laundry room with four washers and dryers
- Collection archive containing artifacts, objects, and audio-visual materials
SECOND FLOOR
- Rehearsal Room (18′ h x 54′ l x 28′ w [5.5m h x 16.5m l x 8.5m w)
- Marley dance floor is available to lay over hardwood floors
- Two small studios/galleries
- Office (desk space for 2-4)
- Dormitory (sleeping capacity: 8; additional 4-6 beds available offsite)
- Two public shower rooms attached to dormitory
THIRD FLOOR
- Master residence for staff use only
- Two smaller studios/galleries
- Office (desk space for 2-4)