Occupying a green-harled building which was once an Excise Office, the Courtyard Studios represent a complex of artists’ studios which opened in 1994 as part of the regenerated Irvine Harbourside.

The Courtyard has a strong creative community and is home to artists with diverse practices.

being a wasps tenant

With over 40 years worth of expertise, we are the UK’s largest provider of studio space for artists and creative industries.

Tenants of the Wasps community receive the following benefits:

  • An inclusive rent for artists (separate to the electricity surcharge)
  • Studio security – all our buildings are either owned or on long term rentals across the estate
  • 24/7 access all year round (excluding hot-desking memberships)
  • Being part of our community of almost 1,000 artists and creatives based in 20 buildings across Scotland
  • Ability to join the Own Art scheme through Wasps – Own Art allows for an artist’s clients to spread the cost of an artwork priced from £100 to £25,000 over 10 months with no interest. Using Own Art can help you close that extra sale – turning a £500 artwork into a more affordable proposition of £50 per month, for example
  • Support and expertise from Wasps’ staff
  • Promotion on the Wasps website (receiving tens of thousands of visitors per month) with an self-managed artist profile and shop through the community page
  • Access to the Wasps Tenant Portal – an exclusive online platform for tenants to find out about updates and opportunities from across the network
  • Exhibiting and selling opportunities through our arts programme including exhibitions across the network, discounted rates for market stalls, Open Studios events and inclusion in art fairs

accessibility & getting here

accessibility

All ground floor studios are fully accessible. First floor spaces are not accessible as they can only be reached by stairs. All spaces, including the toilet and sink space, are accessed directly from the external courtyard.

address

The Courtyard
128 Harbour Street
Irvine
North Ayrshire
KA12 8PZ

getting here

The Courtyard Studios are a ten minute walk from the train station along Harbour Street on the harbour front. The studios are next door to the Ship Inn. There is free parking available within the studio complex.

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