Affordable, accessible and sustainable workspace is becoming increasingly difficult to find and keep. Rising costs, redevelopment and insecure leases are placing growing pressure on artists, makers and the organisations that provide creative spaces.
Creative Workspaces: A Research Project & Action-led Report for Birmingham is building the evidence needed to change that.
Led by CVAN WM, hosted by DASH, and delivered by Meaningfully Ltd, this city-wide research project will create the first comprehensive picture of Birmingham's creative workspace landscape. The findings will inform practical, action-led recommendations to help protect existing spaces, support new provision and strengthen the city's creative infrastructure.
Your voice matters
The more responses we receive, the stronger the evidence will be and the greater the opportunity to influence future policy, investment and planning.
Whether you're a visual artist looking for workspace, currently have a studio, have struggled to find affordable space, or you're involved in providing or managing creative workspaces, your experience is vital.
Together, these surveys will help us understand:
- Where creative workspaces exist and where they're missing.
- The challenges artists and providers are facing.
- What makes creative spaces accessible, affordable and sustainable.
- What support and investment are needed for Birmingham's creative community to thrive.
If you're a visual artist who lives, works, has a studio or regularly practises in Birmingham, we'd love to hear from you.
The survey takes around 20 minutes to complete and explores your experiences of finding, accessing and sustaining creative workspace, as well as the barriers and opportunities you encounter.
If you provide, manage, host or support creative workspace (including studios, collectives, arts organisations or cultural venues) we'd also like to hear from you.
This survey explores how workspaces operate, the pressures they face and what is needed to ensure they remain viable and accessible into the future.
If you wear both hats please complete both surveys. Each captures different experiences that are equally valuable to the research.
Every response makes a difference
The research findings will be published in an action-led report in 2027, alongside practical recommendations for Birmingham's creative future.
The more artists and workspace providers who take part, the stronger the evidence base will be and the greater our collective ability to advocate for lasting change.
Both surveys close at 5pm on Friday 28 August.
Help shape the future of creative workspaces in Birmingham by taking part today.
Creative Workspaces: A Research Project & Action-led Report for Birmingham is supported by Arts Council England using public funding from the National Lottery, with additional support from Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
