Links to Useful Tools and Information
Tools developed by other empty space initiatives and links to useful information. Suggest useful links for this page.
TOOLS
Art in Storefronts (US)
Art in Storefronts places art installations in vacant and under-used storefront windows in San Francisco.
- Frequently Asked Questions: answers for starting storefront programs.
- Sample artist agreement
Asset Transfer Unit (UK)
Provides advice and support on the transfer of under-used land and buildings from the public sector to community ownership.
- Sample property owner agreement
- To Have and to Hold: A practical guide to community asset transfer. Second edition, 2010
Beautiful Art Spaces (Cairns)
Designed to invigorate the Cairns CBD by creating partnerships between property owners and local creative industries.
Capacity Bristol Toolkit: sets out a range of useful information and guidance around temporary use and setting up a project in Bristol.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (UK)
Healthy High Street? A healthcheck for high streets and town centres is a guide to help UK local governments, business people and community organisers to spot early signs of decline in their High Street.
Empty Shops Network (UK)
Their template licence to occupy an empty shop.
Meanwhile Project (UK)
Provides practical and financial support for a wide range of 'meanwhile' approaches in the UK.
- The Empty Shops Workbook - A look at the when, why and how of empty shops based on years of experience. Includes information on project planning, signage, marketing and opening and packing up a shop space.
- Meanwhile Use: Business Case and Learning Points - SQW Consulting were commissioned to build the business case for meanwhile use, which they conclude is "a viable and intelligent option" with benefits for private owners, community groups and the wider public.
- Meanwhile Intermediary Handbook - Meanwhile intermediaries facilitate partnerships between the landlords with temporary spaces available for use and the people to fill those spaces, by providing legal and administrative support and relationship management expertise. This handbook is a collection of Meanwhile Space CIC's experiences in Hastings to guide other intermediary leaseholders.
Their website is worth exploring with a number of useful tools including lease templates, a case study of Berlin and a growing showcase of successful Meanwhile initiatives in the UK. Or you can read our interview with Meanwhile's Jess Steele.
The licence agreement between the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) and landlords and their gallery agreement with artists:
- Head licence agreement: between CLA and the landlord
- Gallery participant agreement: between CLA and each artist.
Read our story about the Chicaco Loop Alliance.
No Vacency! Guide (US)
In 2009 a team of Portland State University Urban and Regional Planning graduate students and the Central Eastside Industrial Council developed No Vacancy! A Guide to Creating Temporary Projects in the Central Eastside Industrial District. The document provides checklists for property owners and potential temporary space users to activate vacant spaces with temporary activities.
popupspace (UK)
A UK-wide database of commercial space, available to lease or license on pop up terms.
Renew Australia's guides to starting your own 'renew' project
INFORMATION
Access
Existing spaces are often not accessible, particularly if they are older buildings. Supportive and inclusive spaces to practise - that provide an environment free from judgment - are required by artists with disability so they feel safe to develop their work. Contact the relevant arts and disability organisation in your state or territory to discuss what you can do to improve access.
Accessible Arts (NSW)
'Speak Up: Arts & Disability Priorities for NSW' includes community plans from NSW.
Greenspace (UK)
Leading UK advocate for the benefits of better planned, designed and managed parks, gardens and green spaces
Accessibility at Events factsheet