Group backing disadvantaged artists secures key studio space

A charity group which helps disadvantaged Manchester artists tackle barriers to success in the art industry has secured a lease on new studio facilities in the city centre.

Helped by pro bono support from the real estate team at law firm Shoosmiths, the 21,500sq ft facility on Grosvenor Street will be used by Pool Arts and the artists it supports as both studio and exhibition space.

The space will incorporate both an open, communal studio area where artists can drop-in and ‘hot-desk’, along with self-contained individual studios for its professional associate members.
 
Pool Arts supports a diverse range of artists including writers, photographers, textile and fashion artists, craftspeople, DJs and contemporary visual artists.

Formed in 1999 and run by and for its members, the organisation provides artists who may otherwise find themselves isolated or excluded with studio space, mentoring, training and professional and development opportunities.
 
Shoosmiths real estate partner Andrew Pattinson and solicitor Zara Saunders brokered the deal on behalf of Pool Arts, after being approached by the charity.
 
Pattinson said: “We were very happy to apply our expertise in helping to secure this new facility for Pool Arts. Having witnessed the initiative in action we understand what an important role it plays in supporting Manchester artists whose talents might otherwise have never seen the light.”
 
Artist Alison Kershaw, company secretary at Pool Arts, added: “The legal advice we received from the team at Shoosmiths was invaluable and sped the leasing process up considerably, meaning we will be in our new studio space much sooner than initially anticipated.

“Zara and Andrew are hugely supportive of what we want to achieve at Pool Arts and we look forward to inviting them to our studio launch when the facility opens in the Spring.”