Spike Island is one of the largest and most comprehensive organisations in Europe dedicated to the production and exhibition of contemporary art and design. Alongside the other facilites the building has to offer, Spike Island has seventy artist studios. These are available to artists who may otherwise find it difficult to afford working space elswhere in the city. When Spike Island was launched in 1996 the building accommodated two artist groups. These two groups remain distinct within the building and, whilst they are administered separately, they work together to select artists as studios become available.

Top Floor Studios are located on the first floor of the building and range in size from 200 - 800 sq foot. These are ideal for artists who need good quality daylight but are not engaged in work that requires heavy machinery. The ground floor Sculpture Studios range from 170 - 830 sq foot and are suitable for artists who need heavy or noisy equipment, hazardous materials or ground floor access, but there are some clean and quiet spaces in this area too.

Radiant heating has been installed throughout and all studio holders have access to the Spike Island workshops, the Associate Space, which is a mini lab providing computer access and video editing. Here too, is a resource library and gradually evolving archive.

July 2010 update on Studio Pool and Studio Selection Panel Procedure (PDF)

Application and criteria (PDF)