This is a working selection of links to a range of subjects that cover many aspects of establishing an independent studio workspace organisation/project.
Please give us your feedback. We aim to update this document from time to time as a self-help guide for people wanting to get artist/maker-led workspace projects and organisations started.
Please help us to help others who come by here in the future
– Were any of these more / less useful to you?
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Please email to creativeworkspace@esamail.org.uk
Starting and Running an Artist Studio Group
Visual Artists Ireland – Setting Up an Artist Group
A practical guide to forming artist collectives, covering governance structures, sustainability, and collaborative practices to ensure long-term success beyond initial enthusiasm.
a-n The Artists Information Company – Establishing a Studio Group
Step-by-step advice on initiating a studio group, from assembling like-minded artists and securing space to effective day-to-day management.
Legal Structures & Governance
GOV.UK – Setting Up a Social Enterprise
Official guidance on forming various social enterprise structures in the UK, including CICs and charities, with step-by-step instructions.
White Fuse – How to Set Up a Non-Profit Organisation in the UK
A detailed walkthrough of registering a non-profit, covering legal structures, governance, and compliance requirements.
Resource Centre – Legal Structures for Community and Voluntary Groups
Explains different legal forms for community groups, helping you choose the right structure based on your group’s needs and activities.
Studio Management & Policies
NFASP – Managing and Developing Artists’ Studios
Guidance on developing artist studios, including financial considerations, partnerships, and case studies to inform sustainable studio management.
NFASP – Studio Occupancy Policies Guidance
Advice on creating occupancy policies for studios, addressing tenant management and policy development for small to medium-sized organisations.
Visual Artists Ireland – A Practical Guide to Setting Up a Studio Space
Comprehensive Irish guide on establishing a studio space, discussing economic alternatives, shared resources, and the challenges of property acquisition.
Funding & Grants
Arts Council England – Funding for Individuals
Information on grants available to individual artists and creative practitioners, including eligibility criteria and application processes.
Creative Lives – Funding Opportunities
A regularly updated list of funding opportunities for creative community groups, supporting projects, core costs, and space upgrades.
Charity Excellence – UK Arts Grant Funding
A comprehensive database of arts funding sources across the UK, suitable for various scales and types of projects.
Working with Architects and Cost Consultants
RIBA – How Do I Work with an Architect?
Guidance on collaborating with architects, covering selection, contracts, and the design process to ensure successful project outcomes.
RIBA – Working Well with First-Time Clients
Strategies for architects to effectively engage with clients new to the design process, ensuring clarity and satisfaction.
RICS – Cost Analysis and Benchmarking
A comprehensive guide on cost analysis and benchmarking for construction projects, aiding in financial planning and control.
Evaluation & Impact
Arts Council England – Creative People and Places Evaluation Guidelines
A pdf document download, providing guidelines for evaluating arts projects, focusing on understanding impact, learning, and sharing outcomes with stakeholders.
CultureHive – Evaluation in Participatory Arts Programmes
A resource exploring methods for evaluating participatory arts projects, including case studies and practical tools.
Creative Evaluation – The Little Book of Creative Evaluation
A pdf download of resources and toolkits for evaluating cultural projects, emphasising creative and participatory approaches.
Centre for Cultural Value – Evaluation for Arts, Culture and Heritage: Principles and Practice
A short course on the fundamentals of robust evaluation practice, especially tailored for working in the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
Health and Safety
Artquest – Health and Safety Overview
An overview of health and safety considerations for artists, addressing legal responsibilities and practical measures.
Creative Toolkit – Health and Safety Regulations
Information on health and safety regulations relevant to creative professionals, including rights and employer responsibilities.
Wikipedia – Health and Safety Signs and Signals Regulations
An overview of UK regulations concerning safety signs and signals, essential for compliance in shared workspaces.
Templates
Culture Collective – Sample Memorandum of Understanding
From Scottish network, Culture Collective. MoU template defining mission, roles, working principles, voluntary governance, duration, responsibility-sharing and dispute processes – shared by WHALE Arts.
Culture Collective – Sample Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
A pdf template amended by Culture Collective members from an ACAS template
FACT Liverpool – Easy-Read Artist Contract
UK-based, dyslexia-friendly plain-language contract designed by Jack Ky Tan—simple, accessible, high-contrast for equitable artist-institution agreements.
The Abundant Artist – Business Plans for Artists
From The Abundant Artist, geared at the individual artist, this offers a simple fourpage business plan template tailored for artists, making strategic planning accessible for creative professionals.
These resources were compiled by the Creative Workspace Network, supported by Arts Council England.
