PROTECT ARTISTS STUDIOS Working artists face significant overheads, especially with regard to studio provision. This is particularly acute at the moment, with April’s rent due and annual increases in the pipeline. In addition, many artists have to deal with this while not being able to get to their studios due to the Covid-19 related restrictions on travel. Studio costs can be very high; especially inner cities, and can take up two thirds of an artist’s income. Many self-employed artists work in commercial or public galleries – as technicians, educators, installers or invigilators – and many of these will have abruptly lost this source of income. The government’s announcement to offer support to the self-employed with a grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits, fails to address that the majority of professional artists are self-employed and their ongoing studio rent and overheads often far outweigh any profit margin. Some studio providers have offered help in form of reduced rents across the board; others have put the brunt entirely on their tenants. PLEASE studio providers waive or significantly reduce rents over the next three months #PROTECTARTISTSSTUDIOS #ARTSFUTURE PROTECT ARTISTS STUDIOS https://www.instagram.com/p/B-wSMLQgetK/?igshid=1paziqjqegc98