Forum

This is not strictly an art fair issue, but it concerns artists in general, especially in economically depressed cities such as the Midwestern one where I live.

I'm an officer on the board of a local non-profit that's focused on the arts and reinventing our [dying] city as an arts destination. I am working on opening a community school of the arts and developing artists' housing and studio space. (We are currently working with Artspace, www.artspace.org, to build a dedicated artists' housing complex.)

I toured a building the other day that would be *perfect* for the school on the first level, and just as perfect for artists' studio space (or office space for arts-related organizations, on the second and third floors. At one time, it served as the local YWCA, so there are about 40 available spaces (dorm-type rooms), each with its own window and window AC. Most are between 150 and 200 square feet, not that large, but bigger than my home studio. We would have to do very little to turn it over into studio space, and there is a beautiful, large gallery area with wide glass doors at either end that could host local artists' exhibits, receptions, or meetings.

What I'm trying to find out is for those who rent space, how large is it, and how much are you paying? There are other studio spaces in town, none nearly as nice as this, nor as centrally located, and certainly without the amenities we would have. There is a coffee bar/cafe on premises, the pool is still open, there's a workout room and a gymnasium (all of which would be available at a modest extra cost). My office would have a color copier, printer and fax that would be available for resident artists' use. There are also spaces for a communal room on both the upper floors, where refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker would be available. We would wire the building for free WIFI. The building was remodeled nicely in recent years when another organization moved in after the YW outgrew the space.

I'm in the midst of writing the proposal and business plan, but as I'm running numbers, I'm curious to know what the going rate is in other comparable spaces. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to hearing from anyone with any insight or experience.

Thanks,

Barbara