When you walk into the towering brick building along the Gowanus Canal, it’s impossible to miss the sense of history. Once the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Power Station, today it’s something entirely new: Powerhouse Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to giving artists the space, tools, and community they need to push boundaries.

For Steven Battaglia, Senior Vice President at Powerhouse Arts, the mission is simple, yet ambitious: “Powerhouse Arts exists to champion creative expression in all its forms. Our mission is twofold: first, to give artists the tools, space, and technical support to realize materially ambitious projects, and second, to engage the broader community with programming that highlights the vital role of art in civic life.”

Steven Battaglia, Senior VP Powerhouse Arts. Photo Albert Vecerka

From Power Station to Powerhouse

The Gowanus facility is now home to several state-of-the-art fabrication shops including ceramics, printmaking, textiles, and public art. These exist alongside membership-based studios where artists can access equipment, materials, expertise, and community.

Fabricators collaborate with artists ranging from globally recognized names to emerging voices, producing works that would be difficult to realize alone. “In the early stages of Powerhouse’s development, we hosted roundtables with artists, fabricators, and cultural workers across the city,” Steven explains. “The message was clear: while affordable housing and studio programs are critical, what the ecosystem lacked was access to cutting-edge equipment, fabrication expertise, and the infrastructure needed to experiment across disciplines.”

The result is a modern “factory” for artmaking that is rooted in history, but designed for the future. “In short, the factory is not just about production, it is about knowledge sharing, innovation, and community,” he says.

What Success Looks Like

So what does success mean for Powerhouse Arts? For Steven, it comes down to three pillars: empowering artists, producing innovative programming, and committing to education and engagement.

“Success means being a cultural anchor in a rapidly developing Gowanus,” he says. “We want to ensure that as the area evolves, Powerhouse remains a place where artists, residents, and visitors alike can experience the transformative power of art.”

That includes expanding access to fabrication shops and memberships through programs like the Artist Subsidy Program, which reduces shop fees for artists who might not otherwise be able to afford access. It also means cultivating the next generation of makers through internships, technical workshops, and job-based training. “We want Powerhouse Arts to be recognized as a training ground that keeps talent in New York City while strengthening the creative economy.”

Programs that Build Community

Powerhouse Arts’ programming is as diverse as the artists who walk through its doors. Year-round, the facility offers art-making courses and workshops that range from beginner-friendly to masterclasses led by established artists.

Their Conversation Series brings transparency to the art-making process, hosting talks and panels that connect artists with collectors, students, and the broader public. And through partnerships with institutions like CUNY, aspiring artists gain hands-on experience that directly supports the city’s cultural and creative economy.

“Together, these programs embody our ethos,” Steven says. “Supporting creative expression and offering a vibrant hive for arts fabrication and cultural programming.”

Community at the Center

Powerhouse Arts takes its role as a neighborhood anchor seriously. A Community Advisory Council of local artists and residents provides ongoing input into programming decisions, ensuring the space reflects the needs and interests of Gowanus itself.

“Community voices play a vital role in shaping what we do,” Steven notes. “Artists and communities should shape institutions, not the other way around.”

That commitment shows up in their partnerships, too. From Arts Gowanus collaborations to neighborhood events, the facility is designed to feel porous – is meant to invite dialogue and keep creativity accessible.

Detail View Powerhouse Arts Grand Hall by Albert Vecerka

Local Life, Gowanus Style

When asked about his favorite neighborhood staples, Steven doesn’t hesitate: Runner and Stone for sandwiches, pastries, and coffee; brunch at Claro, followed by shuffleboard at Royal Palms; and dinner at Café Mars.

For a hidden gem, he points to the Eco Brooklyn Show House, a reflection space just off the Carroll Street subway station. “It’s the perfect spot to stop and reflect on our relationship with nature while watching turtles quietly swim and crane their necks into the sunshine,” he says.

It’s a fitting image: art, nature, and community coexisting in ways that surprise and inspire—much like Powerhouse itself.

Closing Note

Powerhouse Arts’ influences stretch much further than you may expect from a building, beyond the brick walls and collection of fabrication shops. It is a hive of creative expression, innovation, and exchange. Over the next five years, its aim is to remain accessible, experimental, and deeply community-driven thereby ensuring that art continues to be central to the life of Brooklyn and New York City.

As Steven puts it, “By uplifting diverse voices and facilitating exchange, we not only support individual artists but also strengthen the cultural and creative fabric of New York City.”

Our Why Gowanus series shines a spotlight on the people and places that make this neighborhood one of Brooklyn’s most dynamic communities. From local makers and cultural hubs to businesses shaping the area’s future, each story explores why Gowanus isn’t just where they are – it’s part of who they are.