From August 2017 to 2019, Grand Union, in collaboration with Birmingham City University (BCU), ran a co-working studio space for artistic research and production at our site in Minerva Works, Digbeth. The co-working studio complimented Grand Union’s existing provision of artists’ studios and ceramics co-operative Modern Clay.
Each year, four recent graduates from BCU arts faculties were selected from an open call to receive free 24-hour access to a shared studio space, along with mentoring across the year with Grand Union Directors, exhibiting artists, curators in residence, and established Grand Union studio holders.
Grand Union recognises the importance of providing access to studio and production facilities to young and emerging artists in the city, to encourage new making, nurture talent, and support graduate retention in Birmingham. This project helped to diversify Grand Union’s studio membership, and created networking opportunities between early practitioners and established artists. The project also facilitated experimentation and the cross-fertilisation of ideas and good practice across disciplines of Art, Design & Media, in one shared space.
