‘London is being culturally hollowed out’: Affordable space for artists to work launched

An arts charity has just launched a new affordable space for artists to work amid the cost-of-living crisis that, it says, is seeing London become “culturally hollowed out”.

Artists Studio Company (ASC) has launched the Handbag Factory in Loughborough Street, Vauxhall. 

The project offers co-working desks, meeting rooms and two galleries for hire below market rates for people and groups working in creative industries like visual arts, fashion, print, design, photography, film, writing and illustration.

The building will also be home to the ASC Gallery, a free public art gallery focused on supporting new talented artists and makers.

The venue opened its doors in October 2023, but its official launch event is set to take place on November 23.

Peter Flack, Artists Studio Company’s chief executive, said: “The cost of an arts education and the cost of living in London is affecting the capital’s global cultural status. London is literally being culturally hollowed out. 

“For art and culture to thrive, it has to include people from all walks of life. If art excludes people and becomes the voice of only the privileged few, it will simply be irrelevant. 

“ASC aims to address this problem brick by brick. The Handbag Factory will not solve the problem, but it will help’’.

You can sign up to The Handbag Factory’s launch event and exhibition opening on Eventbrite, or book a viewing with the team at handbagfactory@ascstudios.co.uk.

Pictured top: The project offers co-working desks, meeting rooms and two galleries for hire (Picture: Artists Studio Company)