Delivering sustainable artist workspaces in Dublin

Dublin City Council’s Space to Create programme responds to a critical shortage of artist workspaces by refurbishing vacant buildings into long-term, affordable studios. With EUR 9.5 million in funding from the City Council, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and philanthropy, the initiative will deliver 40 workspaces by 2027. The first site at Artane Place highlights a model of cultural infrastructure driven by local engagement, sustainability, and inclusive cultural policy.  

Public investment and innovative partnerships 

Dublin, like many European capitals, faces a pressing shortage of affordable workspaces for professional artists. A recent city-wide survey found that over 50% of artists were actively seeking space to work – often hindered by high rents, short-term leases, and a lack of dedicated infrastructure. In response, Dublin City Council launched Space to Create, a strategic initiative aimed at delivering long-term, affordable workspaces by repurposing vacant and underused buildings across the city.  

EUR 9.5 million in capital investment is being used to refurbish buildings into turnkey studios, with 40 workspaces planned to be operational by early 2027, the majority of which will be in use by the end of 2026. 

This approach not only addresses urgent infrastructure needs but also supports artists in continuing their practice within their communities. The spaces are allocated through a transparent, open call process to ensure equity, diversity, and accessibility. 

Artane Place: Local delivery and sensitive engagement 

One of the flagship locations of Space to Create is Artane Place, developed in partnership with Xestra Asset Management. In 2024, 14 professional artists – many of them living or working in the local area – were awarded studio spaces following a competitive shortlisting and interview process. 

Importantly, Artane Place is the site of the 1981 Stardust tragedy, where 48 people lost their lives in Dublin’s Stardust nightclub. Recognising the deep emotional and cultural resonance of the location, Dublin City Council has led extensive consultation with survivors, bereaved families, and the wider community. This engagement has ensured that the development process is sensitive, respectful, and community-informed, offering an opportunity to reclaim and reimagine the site as one of creative resilience and cultural regeneration. 

Long-term sustainability and cultural policy alignment 

Unlike short-term or pop-up artist space schemes, Space to Create is built for the long term. Dublin City Council will retain leases and operational responsibility for the refurbished buildings, ensuring that the studios remain affordable and accessible for the foreseeable future. 

Space to Create demonstrates how cities can respond proactively to the workspace crisis facing artists. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and grounding policy in local needs and partnerships, Dublin is supporting its cultural sector while also embedding it into the fabric of the city’s future.