Work/live full details
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Vacancies
How often do you have vacancies?
All our work/live studios are currently occupied. Vacancies only arise when an artist leaves. This makes it difficult to predict when future vacancies will arise. We manage 18 work/live studios across three sites, and we anticipate that roughly three to four studios will change tenant per year.
How will I know when a vacancy arises?
All vacancies are sent to our work/live mailing list and advertised on Acme’s website and social media. Therefore, you will need to sign up to the mailing list or keep an eye on our communications.
How do you allocate the vacancy when you have one?
Our allocation process follows these steps:
- Work/live vacancy advertised
- Artist submits Expression of Interest (EoI) via online form
- Shortlist created using random number generator
- Eligibility of artists checked
- No – process ends
- Yes - eligible artists invited to view the vacancy
- After viewing, does the artist wish to apply?
- No – process ends
- Yes - submit an application and attend interview
- Final allocation decision is made by Acme staff
Why are you using a random selection process to compile the shortlist?
We use random selection to give all interested artists an equal chance when demand for our work/live studios is so high. It also reduces the amount of unpaid labour required from applicants who are not shortlisted.
Although no assessment of need is made before the random selection, we will work with the shortlisted artists to ensure the studios are allocated to those who will make the best use of them.
More information on this approach is available in this article by Martin O’Leary in Arts Professional. You can also watch his talk on YouTube ‘Random Selection as a Tool for Change’.
Does this mean that artists requiring accessible spaces are not a priority?
When responding to vacancies, artists will be invited to inform us of any access requirements related to a disability or health condition. If the available work/live studio is suitable, Acme will prioritise the artist by entering them into a tandem pool, which increases their odds of being selected. This ensures that, where appropriate, a proportion of artists invited to viewings will have access requirements.
Is my CV considered as part of the random selection process?
Yes. The information in your EoI form, including your CV is used to check you are eligible.
Is there anything I can do to make my case or provide more information at this stage?
No. The EoI form covers all the information we require at this stage.
I want to share the work/live studio with my partner. Should we both make an EoI, or do we submit a joint one?
If you are both eligible artists, then you each submit an EoI and this will increase your odds of being randomly selected. If only one sharer is an eligible artist, then only this person can submit an EoI.
Eligibility and selection criteria
Am I eligible?
To be eligible you must demonstrate:
- You have an active and professional fine arts* practice of at least five years
- You have the Right to Rent for a minimum of three years
* e.g. painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, fine art photography, installation, performance, multi-media, video and time-based work, socially engaged or participatory practice. This does not include design, fashion, music or commercial photography and film.
You are not eligible if:
- You are in full time education
- You are a homeowner
- You are a previous tenant of an Acme work/live studio
What is meant by a professional arts practice?
Eligible applicants will have a professional track record and have worked for at least five years. They will have had their work performed, exhibited, produced, recorded, or broadcast in a professional context during this time. We do not measure the ‘professionalism’ of an artistic practice based on how much money the individual earns from their work. We know that many professional artists take on other occupations alongside their practice to earn their living. We also do not measure the quality of an artistic practice beyond the indicators that they are operating professionally. To be eligible, the artist must view their artistic practice as their primary purpose and professional identity however much time they are able to spend on it.
What is meant by an active fine arts practice?
Eligible applicants will have a current practice with ongoing plans, projects and momentum. This is because the studios aim to provide a stepping stone to support artists in their next steps. Due to the limited timeframe of the opportunity and the cost of renting the space, it is not possible to revitalise a dormant practice or provide a long-term solution to financial crisis.
How is final selection decided?
This is made by Acme staff who will consider three areas in balance. These are weighted to indicate our priorities, rather than to score applications.
• Need for space and barriers faced (40%)
Understanding an artist's financial situation and any access needs, how their circumstances may be barriers to adequate housing and workspace in London. Recognising the resilience they have shown in developing their career to date.
Whilst an artist with limited financial resources may have greatest need, this will be balanced with ensuring the opportunity is affordable for the individual and can be meaningfully used.
• Capacity to make use of space (40%)
Understanding the artist's ambitions for their work, both in the short and the long-term. Understanding the role the studio will have in supporting these ambitions and their feasibility.
• Benefit beyond the tenancy (20%)
Consider how the opportunity contributes to the artist's career sustainability without requiring speculative outcomes. Consider whether the scheme supports savings or investments that could improve the artist's housing and workspace options in the future.
Conditions of occupation
How long can I stay in an Acme work/live studio?
Tenancies are initially for three years, but artists may choose to leave before this period ends. If they stay for the full three years, a final move-out date will be mutually agreed. This will be during their fourth year and will be arranged to best fit their work plans, commitments, and the circumstances of where they are moving too next.
How much notice must I give if I want to leave beforehand?
Artists may give two months’ notice at any time.
I have a noisy/ fumy practice and use power tools/ toxic materials when working, can I apply?
All tenants have the right to 'quiet enjoyment' of their premises. Therefore, if your practice is likely to cause disturbance to other tenants, or be problematic for you to live alongside, you would need to take steps to prevent this. This could mean using an alternative workshop for noisy, fumy or very dusty work; wearing headphones for music or limiting the hours you work. If you think these restrictions will hinder your working practice, please do not apply.
The physical requirements of an artist's practice, and therefore whether it is compatible with living alongside it, will be a factor in Acme's final allocation decisions.
I am a sound artist, can I apply?
Yes, but please see the answer above. The studios are not soundproofed, so you would need to use headphones when working with sound. If you think these restrictions will hinder your working practice, please do not apply.
I use heavy machinery, can I apply?
Unfortunately, no. Each studio space is relatively small and not suitable for heavy machinery or processes.
Must I live in the studio?
Yes. Our work/live studios are intended to support artists who are unable to access adequate housing and workspace in London due to limited financial resources, health needs and/or other barriers. Therefore, we expect the studio to be the artist’s primary address and for the selected artist to occupy the property for the duration of their tenancy. Subletting is not allowed.
Can dependants live in the work/live studio with me?
You may choose to live with younger dependants in our Glassyard and High House buildings if you judge the space to be sufficient for your needs. The studios are unlikely to be suitable for children above the age of 5 if the property will be the child’s only/ principal home, this is because they would not have their own bedroom.
Acme does not recommend living with young children in our Fire Station building due to the age, design and location of the building.
If you are the guardian of a child under 18 and you wish to make an application, we will discuss the circumstances with you during the application process.
Can I share the work/live studio with a partner?
Yes. Many artist tenants occupy the work/live studio with partners.
Can I sub-let my studio if I go away?
No. Acme expects the studio to be occupied by the artist tenant and does not allow sub-letting or for you to pass the studio on to someone else. Acme does not permit you to let your studio through Airbnb, Facebook or any other social media platform.
Can I have guests to stay?
Yes, short stays from friends or family are anticipated.
Can I smoke or vape in the property?
No, our buildings are covered by the law banning smoking in the workplace. Smoking and vaping is prohibited in all enclosed areas across our sites, including individual studios, corridors, lobbies, staircases, washrooms and toilets.
Costs
What is the monthly rent charge of a work/live studio?
Our work/live rents are set in line with Acme’s charitable objectives, covering their operational costs while remaining non-profit. They are benchmarked against the Mayor’s London Living Rent scheme and kept at this price for three years at a time. The exact monthly amount varies depending on the site and location. The current rents, as of 1 January 2026 and valid until 1 April 2029, are as follows:
- High House £720
- Fire Station £850
- Glassyard £980
How often do you raise the rent?
Rents for our work/live studios are set for three years at a time. Therefore, if you remain a tenant for more than three years, you will experience a maximum of one price increase.
Other than the monthly rent what charges and utilities will I be responsible for?
The rent charge includes building insurance, water, wi-fi, maintenance plus the electricity and cleaning of communal areas.
The rent does not include individual electricity use, council tax, television license or contents insurance.
Is there a deposit charge?
Yes, we require a returnable deposit equivalent to one-month rental charge.
What fittings and furnishings are included?
The studios are unfurnished; artists will need to provide their own furniture.
The kitchen includes an electric hob, fridge freezer and oven or combi microwave.
The bathroom includes a shower.
There are shared laundry facilities.
Are the studios heated?
Yes, the studios have wall mounted electrical heaters and the windows are double glazing.
Tenant expectations
Am I required to deliver agreed outcomes if I am an Acme work/live tenant?
No, because we trust artists to recognise the value of this opportunity and to make good use of their time as tenants in a way that supports the development and resilience of their careers. This will look different for everyone. During the selection process, we will ask you about your specific plans and ambitions. We will also ask you to contribute to evaluation during your occupation.
Can I hold events in my work/live studio?
Yes, you can organise events in your studio with invited guests. You will be responsible for visitors, and expected to comply with Acme’s health and safety requirements. The Work/Lives also fall under Acme’s Open Studios procedure, which is available on request. Artists are welcome to invite guests for studio visits.
Are there any shared, communal spaces included?
Unfortunately no, other than the laundry facilities, there are no shared spaces.