SET partners with Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London to develop a new approach to affordable artist workspace

Image credit: SET Lewisham Open Studios, October 2025. Photo by Dominique Croshaw.

SET is partnering with Central Saint Martins (CSM), University of the Arts London (UAL), on a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) supported by Innovate UK (UKRI) to develop a scalable, sustainable approach to identifying, securing and adapting temporarily vacant buildings into high-quality, affordable artist studios. 

This project responds to the continuing shortage of affordable workspace for artists in London, where rising rents and redevelopment continue to price many out the spaces they rely on to work.  

By combining SET’s experience transforming empty buildings back into use with academic research from CSM, the partnership will explore new ways of creating sustainable workspace for artists across the capital. 

As part of the programme, the project will recruit a dedicated KTP Associate who will be embedded within SET to lead research and development work. 

Image credit: SET Tabernacle Open Studios, October 2025. Photo by Dominique Croshaw.

Developing new approaches to vacant buildings

The project will explore how temporarily vacant buildings can be more effectively identified, accessed and adapted for cultural and community use.  

SET has spent nearly a decade working with partners across London to bring empty buildings back into use for artists and communities. Since 2016, the organisation has activated more than 380,000 square feet of space and currently runs 14 sites across the city.  

Drawing from this experience, the research will focus on practical strategies for retrofitting and managing spaces that can support artists while buildings await longer-term redevelopment. 

By developing a clearer and replicable approach, the partnership aims to expand affordable artist workspace opportunities while encouraging more sustainable uses for vacant buildings across London. 

Image credit: SET Kensington Open Studios, November 2024. Photo by Dominique Croshaw.

A collaboration between SET and Central Saint Martins 

Alongside a dedicated graduate KTP Associate, the project will be supported by CSM academics, including Professor Graham Ellard (Professor of Fine Art) and Oscar Brito-Gonzales (Senior Lecturer in Spatial Practices), who will provide research guidance and strategic oversight. 

Roland Fischer-Vousden, Co-founder and Director of SET, says: 

“The new partnership with UAL on this KTP should have a beneficial impact on the work SET does and will help shape the future of artist-run spaces and cultural infrastructure in London. It will mean better quality and more SET centres to further develop our public arts programme and provide genuinely affordable studios, both short and long-term.  

“The work will continue to give space to make and show artwork, safeguarding incumbent artists communities in the capital whilst offering more artists more accessible, safe and affordable space. The expertise that UAL and the Associate bring to this project extends the scope and quality of the work SET does. Together, SET and the KTP Partners can deliver something, hopefully, transformational in London.” 

Professor Graham Ellard added: 

“The recent announcement of our successful KTP bid comes as very welcome news. This is the second KTP I have been involved in; the first, in 2011, was delivered in partnership with Acme Studios and grew from the same core question: how can we work with external partners to better support our graduates?

“That project led to the creation of the Associate Studio Programme, now in its 12th year, offering UAL BA Fine Art graduates subsidised studio space alongside studio visits by artists and curators over a two-year period. The new project with SET has enormous potential and we look forward to it being equally successful.” 

Image credit: SET Tabernacle, Open Studios, October 2025. Photo by Dominique Croshaw.

The SET KTP forms part of on an ongoing relationship between SET and CSM, building on research into ‘participatory meanwhile’ uses explored through the T-Factor project, with further collaborative opportunities already in development.   

By developing a replicable framework for converting vacant buildings into artist studios, the project aims to support artists, communities and the wider creative sector, while helping to bring underused spaces back into use. 

Insights from the project will be shared as the work develops over the coming two years. 

KTP Associate opportunity

For those interested in contributing to this work, University of the Arts London is recruiting a Spatial Design and Social Impact Lead (KTP Associate) to work across SET and Central Saint Martins.

Find out more and apply via UAL.

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