Art Colleges

The link between Acme Studios and art colleges goes back to the formation of the organisation in 1972 when art college graduates, principally from Reading University Fine Art Department and Chelsea School of Art, needed affordable space in which to work and live.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership

Acme Studios and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts London, are currently running a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), a part government-funded programme which helps businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills.

The two-year project will review the changing role of the artists’ studio within contemporary art practice, through an extensive programme of studio visits and interviews.

The project is being undertaken by Research and Development Associate - Dr Arantxa Echarte. Arantxa recently completed her PhD in Fine Arts at the University of the West of England (UWE, Bristol), and has a Pg Dip in Research, an MA in Art and Design (Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen) and a BA in Fine Arts from the University of the Basque Country. She has continued to maintain her practice as an artist and curator, and has experience of studio space as a practitioner, previously being based at BV studios (Motorcade Flash Parade), Bristol. Arantxa is based at Acme full-time for two years, employed by the university and jointly supported by Graham Ellard for Double Agents, the research project based at Central Saint Martins which he leads with Professor Anne Tallentire, and Acme Chief Executive Jonathan Harvey.

The project will result in user and management briefs for artists’ studios which will help ensure that Acme continues to provide and manage studios which meet the changing needs of artists’ practice. For the latest information on this project, see 'KTP Newsletter February 2012' in 'Further Reading'.

Studio Awards for Graduates

Acme is acutely aware of the pressures facing graduate artists trying to establish their studio practice. Acme manages a number of studio awards for graduate artists permanently located in purpose-designed studios at our Childers Street building in Deptford.

These awards have been carefully developed with Acme’s partners to provide a valuable and effective bridge between college and professional practice. Each award provides a rent-free studio for 12 months, a stipend of £2,500 - £5,000 plus tailored mentoring and development opportunities.

• Adrian Carruthers Award is open to final year MA students at the Slade School of Art.
• Camberwell Studio Award is open to final year BA Fine Art students at Camberwell College of Arts. 
• Chadwell Award in 2011-12 was open to final year MA Painting students at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and Wimbledon College of Art.
• Chelsea Studio Award is open to final year BA Fine Art students at Chelsea College of Art and Design, supported by the Chelsea Arts Club Trust.

RCA Inspire MA

Acme Studios approached the Royal College of Art Curating Course to explore a collaborative approach of the use of the Acme Project Space which would both benefit the expanding number of artists on Acme awards or residencies, as well as support the aims of this innovative course by providing a platform for these young curators to develop ideas. The students, who are placed at galleries and museums across England, are also supported by a highly experienced and dedicated team of academics and practitioners, including Head of Department Professor Mark Nash and Senior Tutors Clare Carolin and Karen Alexander.

In 2010, students curated 'Contort Yourself' at the Acme Project Space which featured work by David Blandy,  Jan Hendrickse (Tower Hamlets Studio Residency) and Harold Offeh.

The 2011 students curated 'Sum Parts' which featured artists from a selection of Acme's Residency, Awards and Community Programme; Briony Anderson / Paul McGee (Fire Station Work/Live), George Charman (Fire Station Work/Live), Amy Gee (Chelsea Studio Award), Adam Knight, Haroon Mirza (Fire Station Work/Live), Emma Smith (Fire Station Work/Live) and K. Yoland (Southwark Studio Residency). Soraya Rodriguez from Zoo Art Enterprises worked with the students in realising the exhibition.