An Audit of the Numbers
In February 2020 I wrote a report for Dublin City Council on findings from desk based research around the provision of Artists Workspaces in the city, specifically artists studios, rehearsal spaces and venues. Read it here: https://councilmeetings.dublincity.ie/documents/s27245/6.%20Report%20on%20Artists%20Workspaces%20in%20Dublin%20City%202010-2019%20JR%20final%20edits.pdf
Over the ten years from 2010 to 2019 many artists’ studios closed, while many others opened. Many artists involved in collective spaces re-opened new ones in the face of closure of their existing workspace. A key finding of the report (which mirrors research in the UK) is that many artists workspaces exist for less than seven years. This also echoes research from the previous period up to 2010. With venues, there is usually a more secure period of tenure due to local authority and Arts Council support.
One of the key findings from Artists Workspaces in Dublin City 2010 – 2019 was the importance of data from (and dialogue with) current practicing artists.
Dublin City Council is now leading a major consultation with artists around workspace requirements and seeks your:
- Opinions on the optimum artist environment
- Experience of the quality and demand for spaces to date
- Ideas on the future of artists workspaces
Please take the time to engage with Dublin City Council to help shape artists workspaces strategy for the next ten years and beyond:
https://www.artistworkspaces.ie/