The Sanitary Tortilla Factory(STF) is intentional non-traditional space that is artist and community centered. The current space leases below market rate studios, two scholarship studios to emerging poc/queer artists, maintains an exhibition/fabrication space and hosts a funded residency every two years. For the past sixteen years, sheri crider has been steering the organization funded by sweat equity and tireless dedication. The formerly incarcerated, homeless, queerlady dyke is now focused on the next chapter(s) of the Sanitary Tortilla Factory. Sustainability for the support of emerging artists and targeted community investment is now the organization’s key goal. STF will continue to be visionary in it’s commitment to artists and community. The people centered organization equally values lived experience and education. It’s intentional aversion to a non profit status affords the us autonomy and creative engagement to develop new paths and connections. The organization is focused on care and support versus charity.
NEXT STEPS
The overall objectives for the next five years are small and incremental. Expand sustainable-internal funding to provide all artist stipends and increase support for professional development . Extend the programmatic focus on system impacted youth including educational diversion, visual art classes, mentorship and housing. The second story addition is the first step in creating a self funded organization. The space will provide short term housing for traveling health care workers, two additional studios and a much needed conference/teaching room. Funds from leases will directly impact the founder to full time programming of the space and provide stipends for investment of artists. After the addition is complete, the organization will expand its collaborations with juvenile justice and eventually the second story will offer transitional housing to system impacted youth.
