Creative Spaces
Red Dog, Blue Turtle and Green Gecko Creative Studios
Currently we provide 12 spaces within 3 studios, Red Dog, Blue Turtle and Green Gecko Creative Studios. For more details about each of the creative spaces and who is using them visit the following pages:
The studio spaces, located in Canterbury and Whitstable, provide subsidised rent for recent graduates in the creative industries. The Local Economy team and East Kent business enterprise provide business support and advice.
Canterbury is home to three major universities, University of Kent (UKC), University College for the Creative Arts (UCCA) and Canterbury Christchurch University (CCCU). All have a great reputation for creative courses, many in the visual arts and currently there are approximately 30,000 students, who live and work in the district.
Many leave the area on graduating due to the limited opportunities available for them to develop their practice, moving to creative hubs in London and Brighton. Aware of these issues, in 2003 Canterbury City Council adopted the Cultural and Creative Industries Policy, which highlighted the drain of talent away from the area and looked at ways we could begin to support and nurture our young creatives. Our key ways of moving forward were to develop artist's spaces.
Red Dog sculptor Kate Matthews explains the benefits of the Creative Studios
"Red Dog provides greatly needed workspace for artists in the Canterbury area. It creates an on-going, active dialogue for the individuals involved and connects them to outside agencies that can help develop their practice."
To apply for studio space:
The demand for space is high so please first contact us for availability.
All applicants will need to provide a copy of public liability insurance up to £5 million and complete an application form and mission statement
To check availability or to be added to the waiting list for studio space please email: mitch.robertson@canterbury.gov.uk or call 01227 862 405
