What facilities do you have?

We provide a total of 100,000 square feet of lettable studio space. The studios range in size from 100 - 1,000 sq.ft., however most are between the 200 to 250 sq.ft. (14ft x 14ft to 16ft x 16ft).

All studios have 24 hour entry, power points and have access to a common water supply. Special requirements such as 3-phase power, additional electrical sockets or an individual water supply can often be installed at the tenant’s expense.

How much do the studios cost?

Studio rates vary depending on the location, the quality of studio available and the size of space you need. Our studios cost from £4.50 – £8.50 per square foot per annum. This translates to an average monthly rent of £100 - £150 for a 200 sq.ft. studio (i.e. (£6 x 200)/12=£100).
This monthly payment includes electricity, rates, building maintenance, public & buildings liability insurance, management costs and water charges. Please note it does not include contents insurance.

What are the lease terms?

We offer a month to month lease to allow maximum flexibility for artists. We also provide a handy summary of your lease in plain English so you can make sense of it. As a condition of the lease we also require:

• A deposit of one month’s rent
• Monthly rent paid by direct debit
• An up-to-date C.V. each year to show you continue to have an active artistic practice

How do I apply?

To apply for a studio, please fill in the application in the ‘download’ section. You can either return the form to us by post or you can email it to michelle@waspsstudios.org.uk along with six images of recent work, an up to date C.V. and a statement about why you need a studio. If your application is approved, your details will be added to our studio register.

How are the studios allocated?

Studios that become available are matched to the needs of artists on the register in the first instance. They are then offered on a first come, first served basis according to the date of application.

There is no average waiting time for a studio - it can take anything from a few months to a few years depending on what you're looking for, when a vacancy comes up or which area you live in. Demand for studio space is greatest in Edinburgh at the moment with up to 4 years waiting time. In Glasgow the average waiting time at the moment is 2 years. In other locations it varies greatly.

We recommend that you apply early and be as flexible as possible in the type of space and location you want, particularly as some studio buildings are more popular than others. To stay on our register we will ask for an up to date C.V. each year to evidence you’re an active artist and are need of a studio. Please let us know if you move address - if we can’t get in touch with you we will take your details off the register.

Can I share my studio?

Yes, we’re happy for you to share your studio as long as it is with another professional visual artist or maker. We can also collect rent by direct debit directly from your studio share. However, if you give up your studio the lease will not automatically transfer to your studio share.

We also allow you to sub-let your studio for up to one year. In this case, you would need to move everything out of your studio and we would let your space to an artist from the register for the fixed period.

Am I eligible for a studio?

The studios are substantially cheaper than commercial rates and are targeted at professional fine and applied artists. If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply, please download our Studio Eligibility document for more info. You can also contact Wasps’ office to talk this through.

Are the studios accessible?

Please see information about each studio building for disabled access.