Growth of the artists' studios sector
Collective action by artists to create affordable multi-unit studio buildings can be dated back at least to the formation of SPACE and the leasing of a redundant warehouse in the St. Katharine Dock, near Tower Bridge in London in 1967. Since then the artists' studio sector has expanded throughout the United Kingdom with many thousands of artists being supported through the self-help action of individuals and groups reacting creatively to opportunities within the property market to achieve low-cost space.
Now, nearly 40 years later, there are at least 147 studio organisations and 270 studio buildings in the UK, providing affordable studios for around 6,000 artists.
In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the value of studio providers. Not only do they support arts and artists at the level of production, but most studio organisations and their artists are involved in a range of activities which create direct public benefit.
These activities include:
- Providing public gallery and project spaces for the presentation of art to diverse audiences
- Delivering a range of creative and educational projects and workshops for various groups and individuals
- Practical support and professional development for artists and creative practitioners.
In 2007, when NFASP became operational, the main threat to affordable studio provision was rising property values. At the same time, new opportunities for developing studios were emerging through partnerships between studio providers and housing associations. Since the economic down-turn, the situation has changed.
