A rendering of the Ryman Lofts building. Credit MDHA

To get an apartment in the building on the south edge of downtown, prospective residents have to submit a portfolio showing they are serious about some sort of creative art.

MDHA spokesman Mark Drury says the goal is to have a wide variety of art forms represented.

“The initial concern was that we would be inundated by a rush of songwriters and that would be the lion’s share of the applicants, but we’ve had a fair number of visual artists, we’ve had, you know, filmmakers, touring musicians, just a real wide variety of people that have submitted applications.”

The building has a total of 60 units. So far, Drury says the art committee has approved a dozen applicants, with more waiting to be reviewed.

Residents also have to meet federal requirements for the low income housing tax credit. Proving that is a more lengthy process and none of the applicants have finished it yet.

Ryman Lofts is still under construction. Drury says it should be finished sometime early next year.