1.1 How to Use This Guidebook

1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

1.2 Lease vs. Own: Making Space for Art

1.3 Taking the Lead

1.4 Features of Artist Space Development

Posted by nsadmin, Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

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Entrance to Curley School. Photo courtesy of International Sonoran Desert Alliance.

Introduction

Capital projects can be intimidating, particularly for artist and arts organizations who are new to the process of developing a facility. But even if you are a real estate development veteran, the unique features of artist space may require a re-tuning of what you have come to know as the process for creating and sustaining a successful building. In order to provide a gateway into the unique field of Artist Space Development (ASD), LINC has commisioned this brief online guide, which culls a number of online and printed resources to produce a primer for any prospective artist space developer. This guide has been especially designed for:

A group of artists who want to develop affordable space to live and/or work
Art organizations who want to develop affordable spaces for artists to live and/or make work
Real estate developers who have little or no previous experience in ASD, but are interested in such a project
Communities looking to strengthen the quality of life in their neighborhoods by ensuring arts and culture are part of everyday living.

Finding Existing Artist Space

This guidebook is focused on developing new spaces for artists to live and/or make work. If you are an artist searching for an existing space, please refer to an alternate website that provides such information, including Chicago Artists Resource; Artistlink (Massachussets based); or another Region-Specific Resource.

Benefits of Using this Guide

The goal of this online resource is to provide Artists and Art Organizations with an:

Overview of the development process that clarifies the “big picture” and major steps of the process
Understanding of the value and roles of key ASD professionals, as well as how to work best with your extended team. Going solo may seem cheaper, but hiring the right people and asking the right questions can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Orientation to the information and resources required to get started. Before you conduct more in-depth, local research, the tips and insight contained in this guide can help focus your energy to prioritize which areas to research when.

Additionally, developers can learn more about the uniqueness of ASD projects such as: