How Creative Land Trust creates long-term change
CLT is a creative placekeeper; its role is distinct from studio provision. It secures permanent creative infrastructure that would otherwise be difficult to protect through the market alone. We have developed specifications to help guide policymakers and property developers, providing commercial property handover specifications that will make affordable creative workspace models viable.
We also partner with property developers at the planning application stage to integrate affordable creative workspace and cultural offers into mixed-use developments that bring vibrancy and genuine activation into our buildings.
If you are a local authority, property developer, studio provider or are interested in our policy work and would like more information, click here:
THE CHALLENGE
Rising land values, redevelopment pressure and insecure leases are shrinking affordable creative space in London and increasing precarity for artists and providers.
WHAT CREATIVE LAND TRUST DOES
Foundational outcomes
0-36 months
Artist outcomes
1-5 years
Place outcomes
3-7 years
System outcomes
5+ years
Long-term impact
Creative infrastructure
Securing affordable space for the long term
73%
say they have extended their professional network in the building
87%
say they are confident they can keep their studio long-term
90%
choose to renew their studio rental contracts
50%
of new studio holders were working from home before
182
Artists supported
90%
say they are confident in the long-term provision of their building
93%
agreed their space is affordable
100%
say their studio is essential to their creative development
Our impact includes:
- A growing portfolio of permanent artist studio space across the capital
- Hundreds of artists supported
- Buildings protected for creative use in perpetuity
- Strong and sustained demand for affordable workspace
- Long-term cultural and community benefit within neighbourhoods across London
We work collaboratively with studio providers, developers, local authorities, funders and communities to strengthen London’s long-term creative infrastructure.
Our Reports
We commission reports to help illustrate the impact and importance of affordable creative workspace for artists, communities, place, the economy and society.
Artists’ Lives: Ecologies for Resilience
Introducing the Ecologies of Resilience report, in collaboration with researcher Dr Susan Jones. This is part of a wider detailed study of visual artists’ motivations and ambitions for their lives and art practices; uncovering how vital time, space and reflection are for creative growth. In this edition, we go behind the scenes at our studios to understand how artists can develop their practice and sustain their livelihoods and wellbeing in today’s creative industries.
The Local Social Workbook
A comprehensive report offering valuable insights and practical guidance to stakeholders on partnering with the local community at Stratford’s High Street in East London and as a proposal for other town centres and high streets across the country. The report was produced by Office S&M Architects with partners Rosetta Arts and Khan Bonshek.
Artist’s Workspace Consultation Report
An in-depth qualitative consultation with over 30 stakeholders from across the creative sector (including arts organisations, land trusts, studio providers, local and regional authorities, academics and developers) the report gathers insights about the key challenges of affordable creative workspace provision in London and potential solutions to these challenges.
Creative Places Create Value
Creative Activities contribute to successful placemaking. #CreativePlacesCreateValue posits that a professionally managed creative workspace is often a more viable and financially attractive option than other commercial uses because it offers long term secure income, particularly appealing in uncertain times.
Our Reports
We commission reports to help illustrate the impact and importance of affordable creative workspace for artists, communities, place, the economy and society.
Artists’ Lives: Ecologies for Resilience
Introducing the Ecologies of Resilience report, in collaboration with researcher Dr Susan Jones. This is part of a wider detailed study of visual artists’ motivations and ambitions for their lives and art practices; uncovering how vital time, space and reflection are for creative growth. In this edition, we go behind the scenes at our studios to understand how artists can develop their practice and sustain their livelihoods and wellbeing in today’s creative industries.
The Local Social Workbook
A comprehensive report offering valuable insights and practical guidance to stakeholders on partnering with the local community at Stratford’s High Street in East London and as a proposal for other town centres and high streets across the country. The report was produced by Office S&M Architects with partners Rosetta Arts and Khan Bonshek.
Research
Creative Land Trust was conceived following a series of reports highlighting the challenges of sustaining creative industries in prospering cities, and the risks poses to our culture and economies if the sector is not protected.
Since then, we have seen unprecedented changes to communities and industries. COVID-19 highlighted the fragility of our creative industries as well as shedding light on many other challenges within the sector.
As we continue to understand and forecast the many external forces that affect studio provision, we will document findings, reports and case studies to help inform our support of the sector.
Real Estates Insights Report: Deep Dive into the Experience Economy (Q2)
This report takes a deep dive into the Experience Economy, a sector rooted in the West End, identifying the opportunities it presents for economic growth in the area. London’s West End is known worldwide for its rich ecosystem of experiences – immersive theatre, exhibitions, competitive socialising, casinos, cinemas, hotels, restaurants, retail, and live experiences.
Reframed: A New Policy Agenda for the Visual Arts
While the visual arts significantly contribute to the creative industries with the UK art market valued at $10.9 billion, the sector faces substantial challenges that hinder its growth and ability to achieve its creative, social, and economic objectives. The Contemporary Visual Arts Network England advocates for crucial changes in the visual arts sector, urging policymakers to better understand and address the specific needs of this field and its professionals.
A Class Act
An in-depth qualitative consultation with over 30 stakeholders from across the creative sector (including arts organisations, land trusts, studio providers, local and regional authorities, academics and developers) the report gathers insights about the key challenges of affordable creative workspace provision in London and potential solutions to these challenges.
Making Space for Culture Incubation Program
Following many years working at the coalface of creative space planning and championing alternative development models from overseas, Left Bank Co. realised the need to bring together the property sector and the cultural sector to truly tackle the creative space challenge. Find out more about The Making Space for Culture Incubation Program in these detailed reports.
Research
Creative Land Trust was conceived following a series of reports highlighting the challenges of sustaining creative industries in prospering cities, and the risks posed to our culture and economies if the sector is not protected.
Since then, we have seen unprecedented changes to communities and industries. COVID-19 highlighted the fragility of our creative industries as well as shedding light on many other challenges within the sector.
As we continue to understand and forecast the many external forces that affect studio provision, we will document findings, reports and case studies to help inform our support of the sector.
Real Estates Insights Report: Deep Dive into the Experience Economy (Q2)
This report takes a deep dive into the Experience Economy, a sector rooted in the West End, identifying the opportunities it presents for economic growth in the area. London’s West End is known worldwide for its rich ecosystem of experiences – immersive theatre, exhibitions, competitive socialising, casinos, cinemas, hotels, restaurants, retail, and live experiences.
Reframed: A New Policy Agenda for the Visual Arts
While the visual arts significantly contribute to the creative industries with the UK art market valued at $10.9 billion, the sector faces substantial challenges that hinder its growth and ability to achieve its creative, social, and economic objectives. The Contemporary Visual Arts Network England advocates for crucial changes in the visual arts sector, urging policymakers to better understand and address the specific needs of this field and its professionals.
