Artists who lost city studio amid development plan find new base
ARTISTS WHO were left without a base when their Leeds studio complex closed to make way for a huge housing development have found a new home at a charity which is also fighting to save its building.
Music and arts organisation MAP Charity is currently trying to raise £2.4m to buy its longterm base at Hope Foundry in Mabgate, close to the site of a proposed 1,200-flat student village.
Developers Future Generation are seeking permission for six blocks of flats, which, if approved, could be complete by September 2021. As part of the scheme, Lady Beck studios, which were situated on land where the flats are planned, has closed, leaving 25 stallholders looking for a new base. MAP has been able to accommodate eight artists into Hope Foundry.
Lady Beck’s manager Emma Hardaker said closing was not an “easy choice” but as rents were pushed up in light of development plans, it was “too risky” to continue at Mabgate, which has in recent years become a “wonderfully diverse” hub for creatives.
MAP’s project director, Tom Smith, said: “For years Mabgate has been home to a thriving community of creative businesses, craftsmen and artists. With new redevelopments occurring on our doorstep we’re aware that these people are being priced out of their spaces, so we want the Hope Foundry project to be a hub and a new home for those pushed out. It’s a shame to see our neighbour Lady Beck close down, but we’re glad to be able to provide a workspace for some of their artists, who in turn can support our vision to help even more artists.”
MAP is currently on track with its campaign to acquire Hope Foundry, where it has been based for 10 years, and start refurbishing it into a creative hub for the community by the end of 2019.
Mr Smith added: “Our campaign is looking really positive and we’ve attracted significant support and donations from the public and are talking to grant funders about supporting the project.”