Category: This Space of Mine — Published:
We often hear from artists and friends from other creative disciplines that studio space is increasingly difficult to come by. While in London, some historic buildings and former factories are protected by studio associations as artists’ spaces, long-term leases and urban developments are making it harder and harder for young people to find affordable spaces to make.
Inspired by our current exhibition, A Century of the Artist’s Studio: 1920-2020, and in the spirit of collaboration, we’re putting together a working directory of organisations that provide studio spaces and other provisions for artists at all stages of their careers.
If you have further suggestions, do get in touch. If you are part of an institution and would like to be included, we’d love to learn more. Throughout the run of this season, we’ll be adding to the list as we explore the significance of creative space for artists, designers, choreographers, chefs and more. #ThisSpaceOfMine
ACME
Supporting artists since 1972, Acme is a charity based in London which provides affordable studios, work/live space, and a programme of residencies and awards. Acme is the single largest provider of affordable artist studios in England, and this year it will support over 800 individual artists across 16 buildings in Greater London.
AREBYTE STUDIOS
arebyte Studios provide affordable workspaces to over 150 artists and makers in London working across jewellery, design, fine art, animation, digital media, music, fashion, photography, game developing, architecture, ceramics as well as the broader creative industries.
A.P.T. STUDIOS (ART IN PERPETUITY TRUST)
Art in Perpetuity Trust was founded in 1995 by a group of artists in an old warehouse on Deptford Creek. Its mission is to support creative thought and artistic vision both in the studio and in the wider world. At its freehold premises on the banks of Deptford Creek, APT provides 42 secure studios for visual artists, a contemporary art gallery and a working sculpture yard.
ARTISTIC SPACES
Artistic Spaces have a large range of creative spaces to suit all kinds of businesses, crafts and individuals. They have studios in North West, East and South London. Their growing network of studios across London has been the starting place for many successful ventures and continues to be the homes of established artists, designers and entrepreneurs.
ASC STUDIOS
London based registered charity, Artists Studio Company (ASC) is one of the biggest providers of affordable workspace. Currently providing workspace to over 500 practitioners across London. Recently purchasing two permanent sites providing secure workspace to 160 practitioners as well as an additional 120 new studios in Brixton.
BLACKHORSE WORKSHOP
Blackhorse Workshop is an open access, fully equipped wood and metal workshop. The workshop can be used from as little as half a day to a whole year. They welcome everyone from dabblers to professionals, and will help you wherever they can. Machinery support is on hand from their highly skilled technicians and you can grow your startup with the support of industry expertise and a community of makers.
BOW ARTS
Affordable creative workspace provision for a wide range of artists, makers, designers is at the core of Bow Arts. Their creative workspace environments are a base for creative practitioners to work in, to meet other artists and designers, and a place to access opportunities that come through being in an active supportive environment. They recognise the needs and economies of recent graduates, artists and designers at the early stages of their careers, and more established practitioners, and reflect this in their provision.
EUROART STUDIOS
North London’s largest artist led art studio and workspace complex providing affordable studios and workspaces for rent by artists, makers and creative practitioners. Only 5 minutes’ walk from either Seven Sisters or Tottenham Hale tube stations, this complex of 70 studios boasts an eclectic mix of talented creative practitioners: painters, sculptors, mixed-media and installation artists, ceramicists, photographers, graphic artists and more. This cluster of creative practitioners fosters networking and collaboration. It also provides an invaluable resource for information and advice.
HYPHA STUDIOS
Hypha Studios is a charity matching creatives with empty spaces & regenerating the high street with cultural hubs & events for local communities. By providing free studios & project space they act as an incubator for creatives to test new ideas without financial obstacles. They provide opportunities to those who might not be able to access space, support or visibility. For each creative placed, they also aim to organise a mentoring session of their choice. In return for the free space, creatives organise public events, supporting the locality & benefiting the high street.
NOT MY BEAUTIFUL HOUSE
Not My Beautiful House opened in May 2021 following funding from the Mayor of London’s “Make London ” programme and support from the Royal Borough of Kingston Council. The project is a collaboration between the art school agency Studio KT1 and the Students Union working together to transform an empty shop into a space selling work from students, alumni and locals and design, branding and interiors by students, staffed by students.
OXO TOWER WHARF STUDIOS
Oxo Tower Wharf, at the heart of London’s South Bank, is home to studios for designer-makers and craftspeople and has a number of spaces available for talented new tenants. Safeguarding spaces for creatives in central London, the building provides makers with a studio and showroom in one, with opportunity for an open door to the public too. Studios range between 290-720 sq. ft and are located on the first and second floors of the iconic riverside building.
www.coinstreet.org/space-and-venue-hire/designer-maker-studios
SPACE STUDIOS
Established by artists in 1968, SPACE runs 20 artist studio buildings across 7 London boroughs and Colchester, providing affordable creative workspace plus support programmes, such as exhibitions, artists residencies, bursaries and training opportunities, to enable artists to be sustainable. SPACE also delivers learning projects for schools, young people and communities neighbouring SPACE studio sites, to promote engagement with creativity and the arts.
SPACE supports more than 800 artists with studio provision and a further 700 a year with professional development. Additionally, SPACE engages 22,000 people a year in its public programmes.
TANNERY ARTS
Tannery Arts is a small, independent charity concerned with making contemporary art accessible to a wide public through its programme of exhibitions and learning projects. It supports the professional development of emerging and established artists and curators, promoting their practice through opportunities to exhibit work, develop projects, to engage in learning activities and through the provision of affordable studios.
TRINITY ART STUDIOS
Trinity Art Studios provide well equipped and maintained work space for fine artists. Their riverside studios house a collective of professional and semi-professional artists focused on artistic development and commercial application. Trinity Studios encourages an environment in which painters and sculptors can expend their technical skills and express their individual talent while striving to produce quality artworks for a global audience.
V22 STUDIO
V22 currently runs ten studio buildings in North and South East London providing affordable artists’ studios, artisans’ workshops and workspace for creative businesses and social enterprises. From light industrial uses to former terraced houses to a Victorian children’s home, our different buildings offer a variety of self-contained spaces ranging from 75 to nearly 2,000 square feet.
WIMBLEDON ART STUDIOS
With 215 individual studios, they provide affordable, professionally managed creative workspaces for a community of over 270 artists, makers and designers. Their twice-yearly Art Fair attracts thousands of potential buyers and provides you with essential exposure to galleries and collectors.
