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Having looked at the responses so far from our COVID-19 Studio Rent Freeze survey https://airtable.com/shrj5r2B2SzCi3z1e, here are our urgent demands to art studio providers across the UK [thread]:
1. All studio providers must close studios NOW. Many appear to still be open for non-essential work, despite clear Govt guidelines, including galleries still 'open by appointment'. It is irresponsible to encourage travel to studios while in lockdown.
Many respondents report not having heard anything of special measures, risk assessments, or cleanliness guidelines put in place to mitigate the spread of the virus while studio spaces remain open.
2. A studio rent freeze must be implemented immediately. We have seen hundreds of projects and events cancelled: creative workers of all kinds are out of pocket, and can no longer depend on forecasted income.
Many of us are ill, caring for loved ones, shielding from the virus, or for various reasons cannot work from home. Govt support will not be enough, when it eventually comes in June. Many of us may not be eligible, as both self-employed and employed workers.
3. For the studio rent suspension to be effective, it must last for AT LEAST 3 months, potentially 6, to be reviewed as the situation develops. A rent free break of 1–2 months is likely to postpone the problem, as well as tenants' anxiety.
Most studio providers should be eligible for income support to cover rent loss ie Govt-backed Small Business Loans, the ACE Emergency scheme, etc. However, if this rent must be paid back by tenants, it should not be expected before April 2021, spread over many months.
4. Studio rent reductions and 'relaxing chasing late payment of rent' are not enough, considering the huge loss of income across the cultural field. We will not be able to recover quickly, and we have household rent (or mortgage) and bills to pay too @LDNRentersUnion
Some studio spaces such as @Turf_Projects are already accepting non-financial reimbursement in lieu of rent, such as doing an online workshop. All providers should consider whether they can accommodate measures such as these.
5. The studio rent freeze should be available to ALL studio tenants equally. Asking the most financially precarious among us to identify themselves and apply for relief is not acceptable, fair, or sustainable, given the global nature of this pandemic emergency.
6. No-one should face eviction from their studio because of loss of income from COVID-19. Especially given that studio providers will find it challenging to find new tenants during this time, and studios would likely be vacant for long periods anyway.
7. All planned rent increases should be postponed until further notice. One large studio provider has halted theirs, while ACME shockingly go ahead with 7% rise from April despite the circumstances: https://artreview.com/news/news_2_april_2020_acme_study_rent_increase/
8. Studio providers must lead with transparency. Mgmt of all spaces should be meeting online regularly and updating tenants on what is discussed. We heard from many respondents who have not been contacted AT ALL by their studio landlord.
We will be looking more deeply into all the responses ASAP, in order to make a full report and best practice guideline, so please keep submitting: https://airtable.com/shrj5r2B2SzCi3z1e. Any questions email dcw@uvwunion.org.uk
