I don’t know about you, but working from home is tough. Sure, having the luxury of an at-home studio is real nice, but mix it with a bossy cat or two, a comfy bed calling your name for a mid-day nap, that food in the fridge that’s just begging to be made into a delicious “I can’t focus snack” and the ever appealing sunny sky beaming onto your desk, asking for you to just go outside and forget your work, doesn’t pay the bills. It’s hard to realize that something has to change in order to get your mind on track. No one actually likes to admit that what they’re doing isn’t working, or that you’re distracted or unfocussed, but it happens to us all and the sooner you realize it’s not working for you, the sooner you can adjust your situation to be on the beautiful path of focused greatness.
There are tons of options for spaces to work in (some more private than others), but figure out what works for you. I always recommend testing the “free” options first, to save money. But if you’re in this for the long-term, investing in a studio space is a smart move.
- Coffee Shops/ Cafes
- Parks
- The Free Library
- The Zoo
- Someone’s Stoop (find a free wi-fi account outside!)
- Book Stores
SPACES THAT ARE NOT FREE, BUT AFFORDABLE WITH A STEADY INCOME
- The Paper Mill ($100/mo WHAAAT?)
- The Crane Arts Studios ($280/mo +)
- The Loom Studios
- Cedar Works ($230-$560/mo)
- The Viking Mill ($300/mo+)
- 1241 Studio
There are a ton of other studios, I just can't remember them all. Going to First Fridays at some local studios is a great way to see if there are spaces available t o rent. A sneaky tip: Look around and see who the worst artist is at the show - their time in that studio space is probably limited.
Craigslist is also a magical place, where people might offer a small, dusty corner in their already rented studio (if you don’t need much space it’s a great option).
TIPS FOR CRAIGSLIST
- Don’t judge it by the images online, it could be a knockout space with crappy photos
- See as many as possible and give yourself options (if that’s a luxury you have)
- Look at the map to see if the space is within a reasonable distance to you (not 20 miles away)
This advice applies to current students and post graduates. Even if you’re working a 9-5 job, having a separate space outside of your home is a great way to keep your creative mind working, even if just for a couple hours a week. If you’re doing freelance work it also works great as a mini office and space to meet clients (if you’re organized/not a weird decorator).
SIDE NOTES
- Make sure the place you're looking into has a bathroom...that works...
- If those prices seem insane to you, and you don’t have a 9-5 or steady income, take up some side work as a dog/cat walker. You’ll easily make $200-300/mo to pay for your studio, while having a nice stress-free furry friend walk.
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