Where would you prefer to have an art studio? (Results)

Where would you prefer to have an art studio?  (right click to see larger image)

The July Making A Mark Poll suggests that 80% of artists want a dedicated space in their own home:

• nearly 45% would be perfectly content with a dedicated room in their own home
• while 35% would prefer a dedicated but separate building at home 

1 in 8 artists who would happily work away from home.

• Only 10% want a dedicated studio in a building with other artists
• 1.5% want a separate building away from home and 
• less than 1% would work anywhere but at home. 

To me this suggests that the artist readers of this blog tend to maybe feel a lot more comfortable on their own territory. Alternatively the benefits of having a studio with other artists is perceived to be of limited benefit - or that the benefits of working from home far outweigh the disadvantages.  I can imagine the latter might well be the case with those who have small children or dependent relatives or other commitments or domestic duties which mean working in and around the home is advantageous and/or the most practical solution.

People do want their own space though.

• Less than 5% of you are happy to use a multipurpose room at home
• Nobody wants to work on the kitchen table!

What I was more surprised about was the very low percentage of artists who want the company of other artists.  Two possible explanations for this occured to me

• First, I wonder how many of the 137 people who responded to this poll have had experience of working alongside other artists.  In other words if you're not aware of any benefits is this something you will opt for with no prior experience?  It struck me that this might be an option which is favoured by those who have had some experience in the past of creating their art amidst a congregation of artists' studios.
• Second, by definition, a lot of artists bloggers have found a ready community of artists online and feel less in need of the companionship of fellow artists in the flesh and in a next door studio

and finally.......

Can I suggest you leave a copy of this poll lying around the next time you get asked what you want for Christmas!

Drop back tomorrow for the Making A Mark Poll for August!

You can see more results from my monthly Making A Mark Polls on The Making A Mark Poll - Resources for Artists