Managing Your Studio

There are two major considerations when setting up your studio:

• At or Away from Home – Many artists have live/work spaces where they have their studio in their home. If this option seems appealing to you, be sure you know the legal concerns associated with this before you set up major equipment in a rental apartment. The other option is to find a studio separate from your home. For this option, consider the convenience of the location carefully.
• Shared or Individual – there are many programs or groups of artists who have developed shared studio spaces. This can be convenient because all of the associated costs are split and some equipment may be communal. An individual space means you get to make all of the decisions, but you have all of the responsibility too. Either way, it’s a good idea to work near other artists so you can swap studio visits, create open studio tours, or find other ways to work together.

The St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts have developed a Guide to Leasing Studio Space (link http://www.vlaa.org/documents/Leasing-ID2_000.pdf)