ARTISTS TALKING

# 19 [14 August 2007]

HAVEN'T WE BEEN HERE BEFORE?

Every time we measure the space, it seems to have changed! Either the walls are moving or we're getting very tired. On Sunday, I took my partner Tim into the building to supervise. He stood over Francis and me with our tape measure, made notes, then checked our sums for us. I think we have it sorted now!

So, on paper we have the space fully let - plus a waiting list. And more artists are still getting in touch wanting to view. This is amazing! What's not so amazing is the missing contract. We were supposed to have it last Friday, then Monday. Now it's Tuesday and there's still no word, despite our chasing.

Twenty or so people collectively holding their breath - cheque books at the ready...

# 18 [8 August 2007]

GO FIGURE

We've spent the past couple of days in painful discussions about costs, trying to balance affordability of spaces with realistic budgets and the all-important issue of cashflow (ie having enough money in the bank to pay bills when they come in). It's absolutely crucial to get it right. Charge too much and people will run scared from the prices. Charge too little and we'll be telling them to move out a few months after they've moved in because we've gone bust.

Basically we have 4000 square feet of rundown warehouse to divide up and let out. The space is dirty, damp and full of rubbish. We have it until June 2009 absolute latest, but could have just two months notice to leave at any time as it's already earmarked for demolition. So we have to balance the necessary building work (eg fixing broken windows, locks and steps, creating studio spaces) with the understanding that it could all just be money down the drain. Fortunately, there's an art college just down the road that's about to dump a whole load of studio partitioning boards and furniture in a skip, so we've probably saved some money there. (I knew something good had to come from the University of Plymouth's departure!)

I only saw inside the space on Monday as I'd been really busy with money work. In the meantime, my colleague Francis had prised the key off the agent and organised daily viewings. He's also been the owner of the membership list this time around - who's in, who's out, how much space let? It changes by the hour.

I've just done the final draft of the rental rates, which we hope to email out tonight. Providing the costs don't send everyone into a spin, we're on course to have 75% provisionally let by Friday, which is our green light for signing the contract.

Then the real trouble starts!

# 17 [7 August 2007]

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR....

This has caught us on the hop, but the news couldn't be better. The other day I was rushing back from town and randomly noticed a letting agent's board down a side street. Two weeks later we're about to sign - fingers crossed.

Very run down warehouse space, 20-month lease. I'll have to blog it all later - far too busy, obviously! - but for now here's a picture and a request for anyone who lives in the Exeter area who wants studio space to contact us pronto via exeterstudios[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk

Wish us luck!

# 16 [25 July 2007]

GISSA BUILDING

On Monday night we talked about everything from squatting empty buildings to walking around the local estate agents armed with a pocketful of crisp tenners. Our future CIC directors met to talk tactics and decided to get...ahem ...more "pro-active".

How we laughed when we recalled advice that a building is one the last things you need to worry about. Without a building as a focus, we're losing credibility and support fast. All we can realistically do is ramp up the volume and start REALLY SHOUTING about our willingness to take on almost any cheap building in the city on almost any terms. I may invest in a megaphone.

It's scant consolation that the newly published Exeter City Council Arts Audit underlines much of what we're saying: "strong sense that facilities for the visual arts in Exeter, for creating new work by both amateur and professional artists, and for exhibitions across the spectrum, remain inadequate. ..a perceived shift in Arts Council England, South West's prioritisation of Plymouth over Exeter ...apparent reduction in funding of Exeter based arts organisations by Devon County Council...loss of the University of Plymouth Art School and the wide ranging impact of this."

It's easy to keep chewing over the problems, so hard to do anything about them. It hasn't helped that Exeter has bid for unitary status; it wants to cut free from Devon County Council. With so much uncertainty about the city's future, it's been hard to get any sense out of anyone. Today the Council finally had the all-clear to go it alone as a big bad city from 2009 (pending a few formalities). I confess to being highly confused by the arguments for and against and really not certain if this is good news for us artists.

Listen to me. I'm starting to take an interest in local politics. Well, it's either that or move city.

# 15 [18 July 2007]

SOMETHING TO CLUTCH AT

I've been reading artists' studios: a guide to securing, supporting and creating affordable studios in London, a report by Acme and Capital Studios. Even though its focus is London, it's full of really juicy stuff to help any artists' group make the case for support. It's available to download from http://www.acme.org.uk/news/artists_studios_guide.pdf

At the launch of the publication back in February, David Lammy MP, former Minister of Culture, said: "Artists are central to social cohesion and help us identify how we can live together and create a future together. If we leave our artists to navigate their way in this property market with its rising rates, we will lose out as a consequence." (I know it rings a bit hollow after the announcements about arts funding cuts, but at least we can quote him on it.)

For me, the really key discovery was that, under current planning law, local authorities can intervene and encourage landlords to create affordable rented workspace through the use of Section 106 agreements. As I understand it, they could ask, for example, that low rents apply for the first five or ten years of a new development. OK, as good news goes, it may be more like a straw than a lifeline, but if we gather together enough bits of straw, eventually we'll be afloat.

# 14 [13 July 2007]

SAYING GOODBYE

Unofficially occupy a corner of the now near-deserted art college site with a small group of friends and a modest show of work. Just to mark its passing. Given the need for studio space in the city, it's hard not to feel bitter about the impending demolition of these perfectly functional studio spaces and workshops.

Meanwhile I'm getting close to completing the paperwork to set up our community interest company. It's an effort of will to stick with it as, every time I tick off a task, the lawyer pops up and points out several more things that need to be done. I just hope all this effort is for something!

# 13 [29 June 2007]

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW

I wanted there to be a howl of protest, a bit of heckling or even a small amount of demolition. But during its last ever degree show, the former Exeter College of Art & Design seemed to succumb to its demise with a shrug. This summer it relocates to become a fully integrated department of the University of Plymouth, saying goodbye to 150 years of history in this city. Even if there weren’t many tears shed on opening night, at least it rained – giving the college an appropriately dampened atmosphere.

This matters to our studio project because 2007 sees the last generation of artists graduating into the area. Exeter doesn’t hold a lot of charms for ambitious new artists, especially compared with Bristol or London, but a handful have stayed on each year (myself included) ensuring we maintain a critical mass of practising artists in the city. From now on, that annual influx of new talent will be granted to Plymouth instead. A vibrant shared studio space would make a lot of difference to how many artists choose (or continue) to develop their careers in Exeter.

I pointed this out to our Lead Councillor for Economy and Tourism recently, but he’s far more excited about his new shopping centre development. He keeps going on about “café culture” as if the chance to buy a cappuccino from a chain outlet is going to turn Exeter into a tourist magnet the size of Paris.

This isn’t the time or place to go into the list of grudges local people have about commercial redevelopment driving up rents and stamping all over local independent ventures like small shops, family-run restaurants, private galleries and the farmers’ market but, suffice to say, WE ARE CROSS. The council is developing cafés, but meanwhile our culture is walking out the back door.

The land on which the art college sits just happens to be prime riverside property, ripe for redevelopment. Last I heard it was due to become luxury retirement flats. It would be nice to think the new residents will honour the annual tradition of throwing open their doors and baring their souls to the public, but somehow I doubt it.

# 12 [13 June 2007]

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

The registration deadline for this year's Exeter Open Studios passes without an application from our group. It's sad, as I hoped we'd be able to take part in 2007. Some of us talked about creating a temporary shared space - a travelling bus, a marquee or a market stall. But I don't think we have much appetite for taking on a commitment to show work as a group when we're still looking for somewhere to make it.

The downtime has had some advantages, like being able to pick up my own practice. I've approached a couple of sites (one through an advertised opportunity, the other independently) with a view to making and/or showing large-scale drawings.

Meanwhile I'm working on small drawings and digital photographs and utilising the services of the local large-format printing bureau (which at least allows me to bump into other creative people, see their work and allow them to see mine.) I realise it would be perfectly possible to exist like this, hiring resources as I need them, as long as I can let go of the idea of making large images or objects by hand. Is it very old-fashioned of me, indulgent even, to want a studio? I just feel I need the discipline of "going to work" and having a designated space to think and make.

I keep my eye on the local property market. There is no shortage of suitable properties, just suitable money: an old stage school (being sold for residential redevelopment), a former media training centre (now considered a prime restaurant location, with rent to match).

Meanwhile, out in the wastelands of the trading estates, one vast windowless metal shed after another comes on the market - none of them cheap. And our waiting list just keeps growing and growing.

# 11 [27 May 2007]

WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT?

We’ve decided to move on and look for new premises. Far from leaving us in disarray, it seems to have given us new energy. Dependence on the whims of an uncooperative, uncommunicative landlord was sapping our spirit, it seems. Now we’ve put ourselves back in control.

Sure, it’s demoralising to have put so much effort into a location only to have to abandon it. And yes, it’s heartbreaking to see a good building sitting empty like that. Has it occurred to us to go down there with bolt cutters, break in and insist on paying rent? Many times.

We're going to extend our search for premises to the business parks on the outskirts of Exeter - a desolate wedge of new-build steel and tarmac that divides our city from the Devon countryside.

It’s not ideal but, perversely, I rather enjoy the prospect. For me, nothing sums up soulless 21st century living better than sprawling modern retail parks full of mattress shops, McDonalds and scavenging seagulls. So far away from the cosy green image Devon likes to portray.

This isn’t great news for our environmental impact (a lot more of us would be travelling to the studio by car) and we’d be less of an asset to the city’s inhabitants (apart from the few who like to combine their art with shopping for a new fridge and a drive-thru burger). However, it should ensure the most important thing – affordable space to work.

So, apart from the lack of one rather important item for a studio group – a building – things are going well quite well. We have a group of about 10-12 people who are sticking with it, despite all the uncertainty. Our application to become a Community Interest Company is now well underway, and we’ve secured legal support to complete it for just £50, thanks to Business in the Community.

We have research that makes our case for funding and provides us with some useful markers as to potential pitfalls ahead. We are well networked with other artists and arts organisations across the region. One year on and we’re physically no closer to moving into a building, but mentally and organisationally we’re much better prepared. We will survive!

# 10 [21 May 2007]

WAVING OR DROWNING?

If the City Council values the visual arts in Exeter, now might be a really good time to step in and offer more than just moral support to our studio project.

So far they've kept a polite distance and I can understand why. They don't know whether we're serious people who can pull this off, or just a bunch of mad dreamers. (And frankly, neither do I.)

The latest advice is that we need a track-record of at least two years before they can offer concrete help.

However, our newly compiled research data suggests there may be a rather limited window of opportunity for this project to succeed in Exeter.

Well over half of respondents to our survey said that availability of suitable local studio space would affect their choice about where to live. And, given that the biggest single group described themselves as emerging artists, we might find quite a few of them (possibly young, probably geographically mobile) are soon on the move.

Every city has a population that comes and goes, but for years (centuries actually) Exeter has had an annual influx of new artists into the city through the Exeter College of Art & Design. Now that the college is relocating to join its parent institution in Plymouth, that year-by-year top-up will cease.