Advice

All Acme Publications, including previous research studies produced as part of the organisation's strategic development role, are available as downloadable pdf files.

Over the last thirty-five years we have converted over 25 major buildings to non-residential studio use as well as refurbishing and managing over 400 short-life houses. In recent years we have pioneered the development of work/live space for artists and the use of planning-gain to support the development of new affordable studios. Increasingly we are involved in new-build studio schemes, in partnership with commercial and social property developers, which require detailed design and performance specifications to ensure that we fully meet the needs of artists now and in the future.

We have consistently shared our experience with others and continue to provide free advice on all aspects of the acquisition, development and management of affordable accommodation for artists. This is available to individuals and groups of practitioners, studio organisations and all those with an interest in helping to develop affordable space for artists.

The advice we give ranges from helping a group of artists to negotiate a lease on a building to advising a local authority on how best it can help develop sustainable studio space. Many groups of artists seeking studio space are unsure about what form of organisation, if any, they should become. We work with them to consider the options that are appropriate to them. We also take on this mentoring role with established organisations which may be undertaking a major capital project for the first time. Our advice will be given at various stages in an organisation's evolution, often taking the form of an ongoing conversation.

Specific areas of advice include:

• Business rates and rate relief
• Tenancy agreements for artists
• Day-to-day building management
• Lease negotiation
• Business planning
• Conversion and new-build design
• Maximising access
• Planning gain

Our staff regularly give talks in art colleges to help students begin to consider how they will continue their practice once they graduate.

Recent recipients of advice are:

• Barbican Arts Group Trust, Hackney (London)
• Borlase Smart John Wells Trust Ltd, Cornwall (South West)
• Clifton Mansions Initiative, Lambeth (London)
• Creek Creative, Faversham (South East)
• Cubitt, Islington (London)
• Farnham Maltings, Farnham (South East)
• IMT (Image Music Text), Tower Hamlets (London)
• Nottingham Studios (East Midlands)
• Philip Street Studios, Bristol (South West)
• Phoenix Arts Association Ltd, Brighton (South East)
• Pullens Arts Businesses Association, Southwark (London)
• Riverbank Studios, Newham (London)
• studios4artists, Chichester (South East)
• The Art House, Wakefield (Yorkshire)
• Twelve Claremont Arts Space, Hastings (South East)
• Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridge (East)
• Yorkshire ArtSpace, Sheffield (Yorkshire)

If you would like help with any of the specific areas of advice listed above or any other matter relating to the development and management of affordable studios for artists please either telephone our office (020 8981 6811) or email mail@acme.org.uk