Stoke Art Map

In 2016 Anna Francis (AirSpace Gallery) and Ben Eastop (ACAVA Studios) joined forces, as AirSpace Gallery were set to launch The newly designed and renovated Spode Rose Garden, while ACAVA were launching their brand new 43 studio complex at Spode Factory Stoke. ACAVA and AirSpace Gallery collaborated on an Arts Council England funded project, which aimed to map and track arts and culture in Stoke-on-Trent. Initially a 3 month research residency took place, with selected artist Nicola Winstanley undertaking the 'Artist At Work' project. This included the Stoke Artist Census Day. In addition, Francis and Eastop developed the Stoke Art Map project, via the creation of a physical map, and a weekend of creative events in Stoke Town, showcasing the breadth of creative spaces and people across the town. THis included the launch of the Spode Rose Garden, and the ACAVA studios. 11 locations across the town opened their doors for the weekend, with exhibitions, intervnetions and hands on workshops

The promise of the affordable artist's studio: Governing creative spaces in London

The role of artists' organisations in populating and popularising postindustrial urban areas is well documented. However, what are less apparent are analyses of how spaces of artistic production are organised and governed in these areas. This paper explores, via an analysis of organisational documents and practices, the techniques used by London-based affordable studio providers to imagine, calculate, and make material low-cost workspace for artists. The argument made is that the negotiation of competing agendas around the production of cultural, economic, and social benefit by affordable studio providers has led to the emergence of a specific form of affordable studio. This analysis will thus show how configurations of creative space emerge from mundane techniques of measurement and governance. © 2013 Pion and its Licensors