Future Vision of Flax
Flax Art Studios is working towards developing permanent, fit for purpose, sustainable studio space.
Flax Art Studios has been supported by Belfast City Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to complete a Feasibility Study and Business Case:-
To identify sustainable/ feasible options for the development of studio space for Flax Art Studios; and with the potential to meet the needs of other visual artists in Belfast City.
To assess the need across this sector in order to support any case for investment in studio space.
To capture learning from other studio space models and apply them to any models developed for Flax Art Studios.
To confirm any additional support needs for the visual arts sector across the city.
The methodology underpinning the feasibility was:
To review existing information and assess a strategic fit for any investment in a sustainable studio space model for Flax Art Studios.
To consult with visual artists across the existing range of studio projects across Belfast City in order to identify their satisfaction with current provision and their requirement for support services.
To consult with people in a governance position within the existing visual arts studio projects in Belfast in order to confirm their assessment of the sustainability of their studio project, their perception of need for investment in the sector and their wider support requirements.
Reviewing existing models across the island of Ireland and on the UK mainland in order to capture learning which could be applied to viable options to the sector.
Consult with potential funders in order to identify the availability of capital funding in order to resource a sustainable model for the development of studio space in Belfast.