AS220's Paul Krot Community Darkrooms are the only black and white photography facilities in Rhode Island that provide affordable public access to photographers at every level. The project began in August 1994 when a group of recent graduates found themselves without access to darkroom facilities and set out to fill the gap. Since then our darkrooms have helped hundreds of working photographers practice their craft, and introduced new people to the art through our accessibility and affordable education opportunities.
The current focus of the AS220 Darkroom is black and white film developing and printing. We have one group darkroom, serving up to four printers at a time and one solo darkroom; accommodating negatives from 35mm to 4x5" and prints as large as 20"x24". All chemistry and equipment use is included in the price of individual memberships. Our darkrooms began to restructure membership options in November 2008; we now offer everything from four hour to one year commitments to our users. We are also currently developing a camera rental program that will allow members to sign out experimental and high-end cameras and other equipment (we do take donations!). New educational workshops are also underway. We invite you to join us in seeing all of these exciting transitions to fruition!
The Paul Krot Darkroom hosts an open house every first Monday of the month from 7pm-9pm. Come right up to the second floor of AS220's Empire St. location to take a look at the facilities and hear more from working members of the darkrooms. Each Monday at 7pm core members meet to discuss the management and future initiatives of the darkroom; these meetings are also open to the public if you wish to join our conversation.
All darkroom memberships require a $40 annual Cottage Industry membership fee to be paid prior to use. With payment you receive a user ID and password to an online time reservation system as well as your orientation session. After you are a member prices are as follows: $25 group room / $35 solo darkroom per 4 hours block, $75 / $100 per month of unlimited usage during open hours, $200 / $250 per six months of unlimited usage during open hours and $400 / $500 for a year of unlimited usage during open hours with personal storage space. The darkroom operates via a communal structure. With a commitment of $35 per month and two 4 hour monitor or volunteer shifts and one to two meetings per month, a member can have unlimited usage during shop hours. The keymember commitment is a $30 monthly fee, three 4 hour volunteer shifts and two to four meetings per month. Key members assume responsibility for continued development, fund raising, shop upkeep, open houses, orientation of new members and monitor training. In exchange they receive 24 hour access and the warm fuzzy feeling of being needed.
