Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is exploring plans for a creative land trust to support London’s artists accessing affordable creative workspace across the capital.
The proposed trust would enable access to finance and soft loans to secure ownership for permanent creative workspaces, as well as ensuring affordable rents for artists in the face of rising commercial rents in the capital.
The conversion of studio to residential space has led to a loss of creative workspaces in London.
The Artists’ Workspace Study, commissioned in 2014, predicted the loss of 30% of artists’ workspace in London by 2019, leaving at least 3,500 creatives without studios.
Arts Council England and Outset Contemporary Art Fund are supporting a feasibility study into the creative land trust fund to which the mayor of London has also contributed £30,000.
The trust will look to replicate the success of similar models such as the Community Arts Stabilization Trust in San Francisco, which allows cultural organisations to acquire property and offer funding or affordable rent to the creative community.
Khan said: “There are few, if any, places on earth that can rival our city for its creative industries. Culture is in the DNA of the capital but we cannot be complacent. As property prices rise and new areas of the city grow, artists are finding themselves unable to put down roots here.
“I am committed to improving access to dedicated, affordable workspace so that the next generation of creatives are given the extra support they require to flourish. I want the artists of tomorrow to be able to fulfil their potential and follow in the footsteps of their role models, so that London can continue to be the cultural capital of the world.”
Deputy mayor for culture and creative industries, Justine Simons, said: “Artists and creative people are like the advance party — they find the unusual places that no one sees much value in and they breathe life into them. We can’t underestimate the value they bring to the capital’s character, identity and success. The trick is to find a way to allow them to put down roots in the areas they have played such an important role in establishing – and not get displaced as prices rise.
“I’m really excited about the creative land trust idea. If we get it right, it could go a long way to addressing this important issue by providing access to much-needed finance to secure permanent spaces for the creative community.
“Over the coming months, we’ll be announcing further ways in which City Hall is supporting the capital’s creative community, including two firsts for London – a new night czar and a creative enterprise zone.”
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