Supporting art & artists since 1972

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1 AUTUMN 2003 Supporting art & artists since 1972 This bulletin is also available in large print and on audio tape. ACME IN NEW PLANNING GAIN PARTNERSHIP We are delighted to announce an important new Acme Studios partnership with Barratt East London. This will create 16,000 square feet of new-build studio space, providing 50 permanent, affordable artists studios. The result will be a major new building in Peckham, SE15. This landmark development by Barratt at Castle House, Sumner Road, will overlook Burgess Park and include 98 apartments, four live/work units and a studio block arranged across three linked buildings. Of the apartments, 75 (1-to 3-bedroom) will be for sale. Twenty-three (1- to 3-bedroom) will be social housing units for both shared ownership and to rent. The developers will begin by knocking down old light industrial and office buildings, mainly occupied by a print company, which employs around 30 people and wants to go elsewhere. The studio block replaces most of the employment floorspace but most important, it will mean many more jobs per square foot than in the old buildings. This was a key factor in the London Borough of Southwark s decision in January to grant planning Studio block view from Pennack Road Architectural visualisation by Smoothe consent; the proposal fully meeting the council s regeneration policies and encouragement of mixed-use schemes as well as making a significant contribution to the local economy and immediate environment. Barratt will sell the finished studio block to Acme at a price below the construction cost of The proposal fully meets the council s regeneration policies and encouragement of mixed-use schemes

2 the building. This will allow us to provide affordable workspace in the same way as the scheme will provide affordable housing. What s really groundbreaking about this project is that studio space is being created by the private sector through what is known as the planning gain mechanism. In this case the provision of social workspace does not form part of the section 106 agreement, but it was an explicit element of the proposal by Barratt to Southwark council. Architects Dransfield Owens de Silva have taken advantage of this prominent site to create an imaginative piece of modern design. The practice, which is based nearby in Bermondsey, has a distinguished track-record in mixed-use and residential schemes which are both stylish and sensitive to their context. Here, on a leafy site bounded by Burgess Park and the Green Studio block with residential accommodation in background view from Burgess Park Architectural visualisation by Smoothe Five floors of studios ranging from 300 to 600 square feet Chain Walk along the line of the old canal, they have designed generous balconies and roof terraces, which will soften the edges of the building and relate it to its green setting. The building will have two main blocks (A and C), linked by a central link block (B). Block A rises to ten floors and has been designed to complement the Green Chain Walk, with each apartment having its own patio/deck or balcony. Block B consists of ground floor plus four floors and is set back to allow for landscaping on the approaches to the main entrance. Block C consists of five floors of studio space (including a lower ground floor) with apartments on the top (fifth) floor. The studio sizes will range from 300 to 600 square feet. Acme, helped by our Design Working Party which includes disabled and non-disabled artists, has liaised closely with the architects to ensure that the workspace will be a model of flexible and accessible design. We hope that work will begin before the end of this year and that the buildings will be open by summer This new development in Southwark will more than replace the 30 studios which we manage in Bermondsey, in north Southwark, due to close when the lease comes to an end in the next two years, where soaring land values have put rents beyond our reach. The new project will not only provide additional floorspace but also space which is lowcost, high-quality, accessible and permanent. Buying this purpose-designed new space underpins the continuation of Acme s long-term development strategy to replace temporary and therefore vulnerable leasehold buildings

3 with permanent stock. It will be the fourth major building acquired by us for cultural use in perpetuity, increasing our stock of permanent studio space to 150 units across 75,000 square feet. The Mayor s ambition that developers would be obliged to provide specified cultural facilities The partnership with Barratt provides a vitally important model. It is not just as a sustainable mixed-use scheme where the inclusion of artists workspace is compatible with and may actually add value to the residential units, but also as an example of how affordable or social workspace can be provided through planning gain. The project may well be the first practical realisation of the Mayor of London s ambition that a further opportunity for developing the cultural infrastructure may arise...whereby developers would be obliged to provide specified cultural facilities as part of larger projects for which they are seeking planning approval 1. This partnership between the commercial and charitable sectors has benefits for all concerned: it fully meets the environmental and regeneration policies of the local authority, it provides a profitable opportunity for Barratt and its shareholders as well as creating much-needed, purposebuilt, low-cost permanent studio space for artists. The potential of the Acme/ Barratt partnership at Castle House as a model for similar such developments is enormous. 1. London Cultural Capital. Realising the potential of a world-class city. The Mayor s Draft Culture Strategy June ROBINSON ROAD: PHASE 2 READY This month will see the completion of a major refurbishment at part of Acme s Robinson Road Studios in Bethnal Green. It will not only provide high-quality studios, but will also make the building more accessible for wheelchair users. In 1981 the Crown Estate Commissioners, who manage property owned by The Crown, granted us a lease for the studios a number of Victorian factory buildings on a triangle of land behind Robinson, Approach and Bonner Road. Three years ago we entered into a new 30- year lease. In return for a low rent we are carrying out major improvements to the site, phased over five years to minimise disruption. Last year we completed Phase 1, bringing 23 studios in three buildings up to meet modern standards. In April this year we began a comprehensive restoration and improvement programme to the largest building, C Block. This has more than 10,000 square feet spread over two floors. Because the premises are in a conservation area we have followed the direction of Tower Hamlets planners to retain or replace as much as possible of the original materials used on the outside. This includes restoring the Victorian slate roof with its three large lantern skylights and the cast-iron windows. We have extensively consulted the artists involved, who will be returning to their studios in 16 new studios have been refurbished to a high standard The building will be more accessible for wheelchair users October. The 16 new studios have been refurbished to a high standard with complete dampproofing, plastered walls and new wiring. There will now be full wheelchair access to the ground floor. With the completion of Phase 2 we will have done more than 80 per cent of the refurbishment programme. Remaining buildings on Robinson Road and Bonner Road, including The Showroom Gallery will be tackled in further phases. ADRIAN CARRUTHERS STUDIO AWARD 2003/2004 The Adrian Carruthers Studio Award 2003/2004 has been awarded to Matt Templeton, it has recently been announced. This award was set up as a memorial to Adrian Carruthers, an artist who worked at our Childers Street studios and who died in 2001, aged 40. Matt Templeton s work was selected by a team including Slade Professor John Aiken and the arts broadcaster and writer Tim Marlow. Matt studied at The Art Institute of Boston and has been a postgraduate student at the Slade in the painting school for the last two years. In his final show Matt showed large black and white paintings based on nature. He also showed a dictionary (developed with a project award from the Slade) which is now part of the collection of artist books at the British Library. The award, open to a graduating M.A. student from the Slade

4 School of Art where Adrian was a student, will give Matt a year s free studio space, partly funded by Acme, plus a bursary of 5,000 to support the research and development of work. The award enables me to have the time to carry on my painting and serves as a necessary bridge in my professional development, said Matt. The opportunity to have a real studio in London will strengthen connections supporting my work which would have been otherwise unattainable. This excellent space makes possible the creation and showing of work for further development both educationally and financially. Last year s award holder, Sibylle Baltzer, has had a very productive year, with exhibition opportunities in Portugal and France. The award has given me the priceless time and space to pay full attention to my paintings in a real studio environment, she said, free from too many financial anxieties. Being able to invite people to see the paintings in a great studio environment has allowed me to present my work professionally, leading to showing and selling opportunities. With help from Acme Sibylle has found another studio and is continuing her work. So far, with support from Adrian Carruthers friends, family and fellow artists, more than 25,000 has been raised, supporting the first four years of The award has given me the priceless time and space to pay full attention to my paintings in a real studio environment. the scheme. Further funding will allow the award to continue. If you would like to help, please send donations payable to: The Adrian Carruthers Memorial Fund, c/o Acme Studios, 44 Copperfield Road, London E3 4RR. A MILESTONE FOR THE STUDIO MOVEMENT July 2003 saw the staging of three important conferences focusing on the work of studio organisations in the United Kingdom. The first, Creating Places, was presented at Tate Modern, London 1. Supported by Arts Council England, the European Union and Regeneration & Renewal, and organised by CIDA (Cultural Industries Development Agency) based in east London, Creating Places set out to explore the role of artists studios in regeneration and was aimed at senior-level professionals and decision-makers responsible for regeneration, property development, planning and artists workspace. The other two events were organised and hosted by Yorkshire ArtSpace at their new studio building Persistence Works in Sheffield: Opening Doors was aimed at people involved in organising open studio events and similar types of artist-led festivals. Making Space, which included case study and workshop sessions, was about developing and sustaining artists studios and was intended for studio managers and those working with studio groups. Creating Places was undoubtedly the most important conference ever on studio provision in Creating Places was undoubtedly the most important conference ever on studio provision in the United Kingdom the United Kingdom. But it was not the first. It is wholly characteristic of the development of the artists studio movement that the important precursors to this conference, and the others in Sheffield, were also set up by studio organisations themselves. The first in 1999, called the UK Studio Providers Conference, was a one-day event organised by SPACE Studios. The second, addressing the threat to the network Regeneration and the Premises Crisis: Finding the Space for Art in 2000 was the conception of Bow Arts Trust, Cable Street Studios and Chisenhale Studios and was organised by Vision in Art. What distinguishes the 2003 conferences is the public profile that the events achieved, the professionalism of those involved and the interest taken by government, local government, regeneration agencies and the arts funding system. Taken together, the conferences mark an important stage in the 35-year history of collective action by artists to create their own working spaces. Described as a coming of age by Peter Hewitt, Arts Council England s Chief Executive, the conferences helped to promote the vitally important work of studio organisations in supporting the development of art at the most fundamental level, i.e. at the level of production. There was much to celebrate, particularly the major lottery

5 projects developed by ACAVA and Acme Studios in London, Yorkshire ArtSpace, Spike Island in Bristol, WASPS in Scotland and others. But those involved in studio development and management were concerned to stress that the sector remains vulnerable and in need of support. Most studio buildings struggle to maintain modern standards of access, safety and heating and most are temporary, operating on leases which are often short-term and liable to steep rent reviews. Many studio groups and organisations rely on volunteers and are in need of professional development. The support of all three conferences by Arts Council England and their recently announced capital grants scheme, which has support of artists workspace as one of two stated priorities, clearly shows how highly the work of studio organisations is rated by the arts funding system. Unfortunately, and in their own words, there is much less money available than for previous Arts Council capital programmes and the impact that direct funding can make will therefore be limited. Perhaps more important is how arts funders can influence policy-makers at the highest level to help ensure that studio organisations are included in regeneration planning. Estelle Morris, the recently appointed Minister of State for the Arts opened Creating Places, and her acknowledgement of the value and importance of creativity and innovation, and her understanding of the role of creative industries in regeneration was encouraging. We hope that the case studies presented It is important that the voice which emerges is a representative one It is essential that this opportunity to underpin the establishment of a permanent network is not lost; the momentum needs to be maintained. by studio organisations 2 also demonstrated the value of studios as models of sustainable workspace, to the local authorities, development agencies and developers whose representatives attended the conference. If the still-vulnerable studio network is to move towards a permanent and self-sustaining infrastructure, those directly involved in running studio organisations must lead the way. A clear vision emerging from the Making Space conference was the need for studio groups and organisations to work together. They not only need to provide the evidence for those speaking up on their behalf, but also want to form a national body, which will create a concerted lobbying voice and a professional network for the exchange of information and best practice. The commitment of the larger and more established organisations to take this forward is vital, but it is equally important that the voice which emerges is a representative one. Acme Studios is committed to working with others to help drive this vision forward. Actively involved as a steering group member for the Creating Places conference 3 Jonathan Harvey made a keynote speech on behalf of the sector and David Panton presented a case study setting out new models for affordable studio development. David Panton chaired the Making Space conference in Sheffield and Jonathan Harvey presented a specific case study about Acme s cross-subsidy scheme at Orsman Road, N1. The July conferences have highlighted the work and value of the affordable studio movement and pushed support of studio provision higher up the agenda. It is essential that this opportunity to underpin the establishment of a permanent network is not lost; the momentum needs to be maintained. To find out more: A report on Creating Places will be published soon please visit: Further reading: Space Race, Parts 1 and 2 by Henry Lydiate (Artlaw) Art Monthly September and October issues 1. Chaired by Jon Snow, Channel 4 News and Dickon Robinson, Peabody Trust 2. Wasps Artists Studios, Acme Studios, SPACE and Waygood Gallery & Studios 3. Creating Places Steering Group: Arts Council England, Acme Studios, Bow Arts Trust, Bristol City Council, CIDA, London Borough of Lambeth, SPACE, Yorkshire ArtSpace, Wasps Artists Studios.

6 ACME STUDIOS ACME STUDIOS is a London-based charity that supports fine art practice by providing artists with low-cost studio and living space. Acme was formed by artists in 1972 and is the largest organisation of its kind in the United Kingdom. It has helped more than 4,000 artists with this fundamental means of support. Acme is recognised as the leading development agency for artists working and living accommodation. In 1997 Acme secured Lottery funding to enable it to buy and develop two of its studio buildings, the Fire Station in E14 and Copperfield Road in E3. Acme bought its third major studio building in Orsman Road, N1 in April These buildings represent a significant step in achieving the long-term goal of creating a permanent, sustainable network of affordable and accessible studios for artists in London. Acme Studios: We provide 380 studios in more than 170,000 square feet, in ten studio blocks throughout east and south-east London at inclusive rent levels of between 6.50 and 8.00/sq.ft./per year. We provide 25 units of living accommodation. We provide a four-year work/live residency programme for 12 artists with and without disabilities at our fully accessible Fire Station site in Gillender Street, E14. We provide a five-year work/live residency programme for eight artists at The Sugar House in E15. We maintain a waiting list of artists seeking non-residential studios in London. We manage a major international residency programme for six foreign agencies from Australia, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland (3). We provide space for two important publicly-funded galleries: Matt s Gallery and The Showroom. We work in partnership with other housing associations. We provide a nationwide, free advisory service to artists on all aspects of property negotiation, conversion and management. We provide a consultancy service on studio provision to a wide range of organisations including funding bodies, local authorities, other studio organisations and development agencies. Acme Studios October 2003 Supporting art and artists since 1972 Acme Studios consists of three exempt charities registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965: Acme Studios Housing Association Limited Reg. No: 28377R VAT Reg. No: Acme Artists Housing Association Limited Reg. No: 27215R Acme Housing Association Limited Reg. No: 20468R Members of the National Housing Federation Acme Studios is funded by Arts Council England Acme Studios 44 Copperfield Road, Bow London E3 4RR T /6821 voice & minicom F E mail@acme.org.uk Co-Directors Jonathan Harvey, David Panton Committee of Management Robert Barnes Naomi Dines Jonathan Harvey (Company Secretary/Treasurer) Henry Lydiate Richard Millward David Panton (Chairman) Trevor Sutton Staff Roger Kite (Senior Manager, Repairs and Maintenance) Heather Deedman (Artists Liaison Officer) Jane Leighton (Artists Liaison Officer) Julia Lancaster (Administrator, Development and Agency) Richard Kingsnorth (Finance Officer) John Lang (Manager, Repairs and Maintenance) Ben Lawley (Rent Manager) Calum F Kerr (Administrative Assistant) Solicitors Trowers & Hamlins Sceptre Court 40 Tower Hill London EC3N 4DX Editor Jonathan Harvey jonathan@acme.org.uk Designers Area cara@area.demon.co.uk Printers Martin Edwards Printers me.print@btinternet.com Text Editor Janet Hadley janet-hadley@blueyonder.co.uk