What to look for in a studio

For an artist, studio space can be the key to success or a creative block. You want to find a space that helps your creative flow and works for your practically. There are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to finding the right studio, including location, costs, and if it feels like a creative space for you.

Here are a few tips to help you find the right studio:

1.  Mood board your ideal studio

This can help you figure out what’s important to you in a space. Although it’s unlikely you’ll find everything you’re looking for, it’s important to go in knowing some aspects, such as size of your ideal studio. Some people work better with a huge space whilst some are satisfied with a table. Is natural light important? Do you need a storage space? Visualising your perfect space or checking out other studios and seeing which ones are most attractive to you is a good way to start.

2.  Setting a budget

After their home, an artist spends the most time in their studio space. In a sense, it’s their second home. It’s essential to figure out how much you can afford to spend on a place. To help with that, create two lists:

• Expenses related to the initial move in, such as a security deposit and furnishing.
• Expenses that follow, such as rent, utilities and supplies.

If your budget is tight, could find other artists open to various kinds of arrangements for shared spaces. Other factors can affect the budget, such as the distance of the studio to your home, if the studio is furnished and the local amenities (is the nearest café £8 for a sandwich? Or is there a Tesco next door?)

3.  Location of the studio

Would you like it to be in the middle of an artistic community? Being involved in a creative community can inspire your art and encourage you to teach you mediums or experiment with methods you haven’t explored before.

How far is it going to take you to travel between your home and the studio? Is it an easy journey? Is the transport costly? A far away studio or a harder route can cause issues. It can make it more likely for you to get caught in traffic or strikes, which means inability to access your studio space.

It can be overwhelming to find the studio space that fits your every need and can be a lot of questions to think of. However, it’s a very exciting experience! We often share opportunities for discounted or free studio space on our Instagram, follow us or sign up to our newsletter and keep an eye out for these posts.