Metropolitan Workshop LLP’s Post

The hugely successful & vibrant Dean Arts Studios, where we are tenants, is getting evicted by Dublin City Council this week from Chatham Row, and I want to lay out the implications…because you are paying for them. 1. The Dean Arts Studios is 100% financed by its parent company Press Up. The 40+ diverse artists based here pay no rent or bills, and therefore thrive. 2. Dublin City Council is evicting this entity in lieu of another landlord who specialises in creative rentals, and who is part funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. 3. The new operator charges rents that are beyond most artists means, so it automatically excludes most working class and minority artists (unlike Dean Arts Studios). 4. In truth it excludes most artists, thus the roster of tenants incorporates the wider creative and social enterprise industries. Artists who do take rooms (or more likely, partitioned rooms or desks) have to fold the rental into their Dublin City Council, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Creative Ireland grant applications. 5. In summary, Dublin City Council is overthrowing and therefore actively discouraging private funding of the arts in lieu of a model that requires double public finance and shuts out working class and minority artists. “This couldn’t be! This makes absolutely no sense!” you might exclaim. But you only have look at the utter erosion of most aspects of the city in recent years to accept that, with the exception of a few dedicated people, this city is being utterly mismanaged. Thoughts? (PS this is not a thread against public investment in the arts, which is not only absolutely necessary but currently inadequate. Which is why a privately funded endeavour like Dean Arts Studios must be celebrated and supported)

Exciting video update from the Harmony Studios Inc. team! We’re thrilled to share a sneak peek of a small #studio project we designed and are currently building out. This video highlights the effectiveness of our #acousticdesign, specifically focused on achieving exceptional isolation between rooms—even in a compact space. Our approach allows the control room to be completely isolated from the rest of the studio, ensuring precise sound quality and control. But that’s not all! This studio serves a dual purpose: it’s now optimized for multiple simultaneous #musiclessons. What was once a single large room has been transformed into three separate spaces where multiple lessons can occur without the worry of sound bleeding from one room to the next. Keep in mind, this was done WITHOUT floating the rooms. That was not an option within the budget for this project. The results, even without floating, are still superb. This transformation is a game-changer for the client for maximizing space utilization and improving the functionality of thei #musiceducation environments. We can’t wait to share the final result! #AcousticDesign #StudioBuild #MusicLessons #SoundIsolation #AVtweeps #HarmonyStudiosInc #AVDesign #SpaceOptimization #AcousticConsulting #AcousticTreatment #Soundproofing

Acoustic panelling is an essential element in creating comfortable and functional working environments. These panels are designed to manage sound by absorbing or diffusing unwanted noise, ultimately improving the acoustics of a room. In environments where sound quality and control are critical—such as offices, studios, theatres, and conference rooms—acoustic panelling plays a vital role. In our latest article, we’ll explore what acoustic panelling is, the different types available, and their various applications. Read more:https://buff.ly/41q0UML

Mastering Focus: Home vs. Studio for Artists Discover how different environments impact artists' focus while lighting. We explore the preferences between home settings and studios, highlighting the distractions and benefits that come with each choice, helping you find your ideal workspace. #ArtistFocus #LightingArtists #CreativeWorkspace #ArtCommunity #ProductivityHacks #HomeStudio #StudioVibes #ArtisticExpression #FocusAndDistractions #LightingTechniques

This article by Josh O'Kane in *The Globe and Mail* highlights the challenges faced by the arts community in securing affordable performance, rehearsal, and studio spaces. There is a particular need for “generative” workspaces—places where artists can create, collaborate, and experiment on community-driven, less commercially focused projects. Despite being vital to vibrant neighborhoods, rising real estate costs and urban redevelopment pressures make it difficult for artists to maintain these spaces. cSPACE Projects Projects along with our peers, are addressing this by partnering with commercial real estate and civic partners to explore innovative models like meanwhile leases, land trusts, and community bonds. These efforts are helping artists secure space through creative partnerships and, in some cases, enabling artist collectives to take ownership. Our cSPACE Marda Loop Creative Hub and the *Meanwhile Lease* SPACEPILOT program, which has activated over 60,000 sq ft, demonstrates the power of collaboration and civic policy in supporting both immediate and lasting impact for the arts. Securing affordable spaces for the arts community is a complex challenge, but ensuring the continued vitality of the arts in our cities is critical. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gf22bjf8

🌟 Just got back from an unforgettable experience at BLINK Cincinnati — and wow, what an event! For those unfamiliar, BLINK is a massive, four-day festival that transforms the heart of Cincinnati into a playground of light, art, and innovation. It's more than just an art festival; it’s a city-wide collaboration that brings together artists, designers, and even city governments across Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport. The entire region lights up (literally!) with art installations, projection mapping, and incredible public art activations. One of the highlights for me was an installation by the talented Gee Horton — his work added another layer of soul and depth to the festival. Imagine walking through streets filled with larger-than-life art, illuminated buildings, and immersive experiences that make you feel like you're part of something bigger. That’s what BLINK is all about. It’s not just a festival; it's a celebration of creativity and community. Here’s the kicker: over four days, BLINK draws in over a million visitors and pumps millions of dollars into the local economy. It's a huge economic boost that proves just how powerful and profitable prioritizing the arts can be. The collaboration between artists, local businesses, and the city government creates an atmosphere that truly benefits everyone involved — from the artists showcasing their work to the restaurants, hotels, and shops that see a spike in business. Cincinnati has absolutely set the bar for what’s possible when a city invests in its creative community. Imagine if cities like San Antonio followed suit? The potential for cultural enrichment, economic growth, and community engagement is off the charts. Events like this could be game-changers for cities across the country, making them hubs for tourism and innovation while highlighting their unique cultural identities. Here's to hoping San Antonio and other major markets take note. Art isn’t just something to look at — it’s an experience that brings people together, drives the economy, and makes our cities better places to live. #BLINKCincinnati #ArtAndEconomy #CommunityImpact #SanAntonio #EconomicGrowth #PublicArt Gee Horton ArtsWave Justin Brookhart

Pinewood Group Limited has launched a public consultation on its expansion plans. The famed studios want to review the existing planning consent that’s already in place, in response to a reduction in global content production and rising construction costs.

I haven't spoken much about the project that has occupied the last 8 months and one I am so passionate about. Our poster is exhibited at Algonquin College Student Commons, and today is the last day to visit. My group conducted a study on skilled immigrant integration in Ottawa, examining the role of career services, and we uncovered some interesting findings. Interested in learning more about our project and insights? Send me a message! I’d love to talk about it! #UXResearch #SkilledImmigrants

The team and I were privileged to be at a Practice Talk Populous held in their Sydney office. I was impressed to learn that they designed the largest spherical building in the world. I'm beyond excited to see The Sphere in Las Vegas in person next month; hopefully I can get in there and really check it out. This article has 5 interesting things to know about The Sphere. #TheSphere #Populous #Designarchitecture #SportsArchitecture

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