People we've helped

High Bridge Studios

Category

Arts and media

Artists using the prestigious new studios and gallery space in Newcastle upon Tyne have set up a co-operative because they believe it will provide them with increased security of tenure and better opportunities for fund raising.

High Bridge Studios and Gallery is a refurbished 1920s warehouse in the centre of Newcastle that provides 40 studios/workshops for rent and two large galleries. The refurbishment was finished in May 2011, after five years of delays, questions and crises that had worried many local artists.

Some of the artists wanting to rent studios felt they would be in a stronger position to negotiate with the landlord, Newcastle City Council, if they formed a co-operative and they contacted The Co-operative Enterprise Hub for advice.

Dee Shaw, who rents a studio, said: “We didn’t know how to go about it, and we got great help and advice. The Hub helped us to choose the right co-operative for our needs, to organise ourselves and to learn the ropes and legalities required in being a co-op.”

The artists set up a co-operative consortium. All the members continue to be self employed but the co-operative gives them a legally recognised body.

They are very committed to community-based arts projects and Dee believes that as a co-operative organisation they “will have more clout” in fund raising or applying for commissions. She said: “One of our main aims is to carry out art projects that involve groups throughout the community. We are planning exchanges with other artist-led projects nationally and internationally and training for the artists if needed.”

HOW WE HELPED

We gave advice on co-operative legal structures
We registered the group as a co-operative consortium
We assisted with business planning

Kevin Marquis, the Hub adviser, said: “The studio users now have a co-operative structure that brings them together. It’s good for negotiating with the landlord and it’s good for publicity.”

For more information please visit www.highbridgestudios.co.uk