“Should I get an art studio?” can be a difficult question to answer.
There are so many factors that affect your decision, and getting an out-of-home art studio can feel like a huge step in your art career.
How do you know when you’re ready, if the timing is right, or if it is even necessary? The fact of the matter is that every art business is different, so it depends on who you are as an artist and where you are both personally and financially.
We came up with ten important questions for you to answer about your art business that will help you decide whether or not you should get a separate art studio. Take a look!
1. Do I need a better work-life balance?
Maybe your artistic process keeps being interrupted by phone calls or children at home, or maybe you can’t seem to put the brush down when other priorities call. Having your current work space right in your home can pose a problem for some artists’ work-life balance. If this sounds like you, you may want to consider getting a separate studio space.
2. Do I have trouble switching gears?
Having a studio space right in your home can leave some artists feeling stuck. The creative juices just don’t always seem to flow when you work in the place you also eat, shower, sleep, and relax in. This leads us to our next question.
3. Will a separate space help me be more creative?
If you can’t seem to find inspiration or motivation in your current workspace, you may find peace in going to a studio every day. This can help you “train” yourself to be creative, says Empty Easel, because your brain knows that it’s time to get to work when you arrive.
4. What type of space would help me be more creative and productive?
As a professional artist, you want to be as creative and productive as possible. Many are able to accomplish this perfectly with an at-home studio. But, if you don’t have the right space at home, you may need to find your own art studio to get the job done. Consider this next question, as well.
5. Would making changes to my current home space help me be more productive?
Sometimes a few small changes can make a huge difference in your at-home studio. Would changing the décor help make your space more peaceful or fun? Could you rearrange or buy new furniture to help your studio’s functionality? Do you need better lighting to create in? Making these changes could help revitalize both your studio and productivity.
6. Am I financially prepared?
A new art studio may sound great, but it isn’t always financially realistic. Reflect on the costs of both rent and daily travel to the studio to see if it fits into your art business’s budget. If money is tight, consider sharing the cost and studio space with other artists in your area.
7. Is there a studio in my area that meets my needs and price requirements?
After determining if there is room in your budget, figure out if there is an available space that meets all of your needs. Is there a studio space that is the right size, type of space, distance from home, and cost for your art business? And depending on your budget, don’t be afraid to get creative with what constitutes a studio space. It’s whatever you think will work best for you.
8. Do I currently have enough room for storage, supplies, materials, etc.?
If the answer is no, figure out if there’s a way to add more storage space to your studio. Some new shelving, organization, or cleaning out of old materials may do the trick. Managing your art inventory online with Artwork Archive is a great way to stay organized and keep track of your pieces. In the end, ask yourself how much room do you really need and if the costs of a new studio space are truly worth it.
9. Are my materials safe to work with where I eat and sleep?
Unfortunately, some of the supplies you work with may be damaging to your health. If you only have space to create your art near a bedroom or kitchen, you may want to consider getting a separate studio space for health reasons. Otherwise, learn how to better ventilate your workspace and try detoxing your art studio.
10. Overall, would getting an art studio benefit my art career?
Carefully consider your answers to the questions above. Can you make your current space work well with a few tweaks? Or, would it make you more creative, productive, and healthier to have a separate studio? Do you have the time and money to spend, and can you find the right place?
Some other important questions to contemplate: Would you be taken more seriously as an artist, and would it truly help you sell more art?
And the answer is...
Every artist will have a different answer as to what will work best for them. Weigh the benefits and costs for your own art business to determine if getting an art studio is right for you. And remember, if you decide that one option is better for you at this point in your art career, you can always answer these questions again later on and make an art studio change.
Want to do a proper studio inventory? Learn how to here.
