The Arts Mill offers two sets of studio spaces. The Back Studios offer eleven studios located in a 2,970 square foot space with a kitchen and communal workspace. The Front Studios include five studios located within the Eno Arts Mill multipurpose arts space.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- FAQ’s: Please review our Frequently Asked Questions below and our Tenant Agreement to determine if the Mill Studios are the right fit for you.
- TOURS: Tours for artists can be scheduled. Email kmurray (at) orangecountync.gov to set up a time.
- APPLICATION: Applications must be submitted through our online portal HERE.
- LEASE: Accepted artists will be required to sign a one-year lease with the Orange County Arts Commission and agree to a background check.
FAQ’s
Q: What is the rent?
A: Rental rates range from $288.75 to $735 depending on size and access to natural light. Upon lease signing, you will provide your checking account information to Orange County, who will draft your rent around the 1st of each month.
Q: What are the rental terms?
A: A one-year lease is required. A refundable one-month security deposit is required with first month’s rent.
Q: What is included?
A: Your studio at the Eno Mill includes the following:
- All utilities and wifi
- 24/7 secure access
- A one-month featured exhibit in the Eno Arts Mill Gallery for tenants who have had studio space longer than one year
- Exhibit space in gathering spaces of the studios
- Shared common space including a workroom with counter space and cabinet storage and gathering space (Back Studios only)
- Kitchen featuring refrigerator, microwave, water cooler, and coffee maker
- Weekly janitorial service (communal spaces only)
- OCAC-hosted monthly First Fridays at the Mill, featuring a new exhibit in the gallery, open studios, food, beverages, live music and more
- Periodic dinners for studio tenants to encourage networking and work sharing
- (Coming soon) Bimonthly studio-sharing tours for EAM studio artists
- Lower artist commission rate (30% instead of 40%) on gallery work sold and classes
- 20% discount on Eno Arts Mill classes
Q: What types of artists are you looking for?
A: First, the OCAC seeks artists who are committed to their craft and will use their studio regularly as a space to create work. Second, we look at the makeup of our current studio artists and notice who we are missing; we want a diversity of race, age, artistic medium, and career level to ensure we have a wide variety of people and art in the studios.
We particularly wish to amplify the artistic voices of marginalized communities by inviting artists of color to apply for studio space. In addition, we are looking for creatives who:
- Are community-minded and will benefit from a co-working, semiprivate studio environment
- Display commitment to their craft through an existing body of work
- Create original work
- Are willing to participate in monthly public events, such as our monthly openings. The space will not be open to the general public other than during special events and by appointment with studio tenants.
- Can work within a shared studio space and be respectful of fellow studio-mates.
Q: What factors are being considered in selecting artists?
A: Tenant Selection Considerations
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Will this person’s practice work within the space available?
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The OCAC seeks to represent a variety of artistic disciplines.
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The OCAC seeks to include artists of diverse backgrounds and varying levels in their career.
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Does this person already have a place to work?
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Will this person use the space regularly? Will they participate in monthly open studios and other public events?
Q: Why is a background check required?
A: For the security and safety of all artist-tenants.
Q: Are there certain hours I have to be in my studio?
A: No, as these studios are not open to the public other than during monthly open studio tours. However, we want the studios to be utilized regularly by our artist-tenants. We also ask that all tenants commit to being present at our monthly First Fridays at the Mill, which is the only time our studios are open to the public. Tenants must be present for at least 7 openings in a year. Attendance is tracked, and artists who regularly do not attend the openings will not have the option to renew their lease.
Q: Can I access the studio at any time?
A: Yes, a key system allows you secure access 24/7.
Q: How much insurance is required?
A: All tenants must hold a minimum $1M general liability policy showing Orange County and Hedgehog Holdings as additional insured. You can anticipate this costing between $200-$500 per year, or approximately $20-$50 per month. Certificate of Insurance must be on file before keys are given. The OCAC can help connect you with a local insurance provider who will help you easily set up a policy.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of years I can renew my lease?
A: This is unknown as of right now but we are tentatively putting a three-year lease limit on the studios. The purpose of our studios is to provide affordable space for artists who do not have a home studio or alternate space. In three years, there may be more arts space available and the demand not as high. In that event, we will remove the three-year limit. If studio space is still at a premium, we want to make sure others have the opportunity to use the space.
Q: Is there natural light?
A: In the Back Studios, only Studio 9 has natural light. There is one very large window at one end of the studio that filters into the common spaces and Space 8 (see map below). The majority of the spaces do not have natural light, however, lighting fixtures have been installed that mimic natural light (5,000 kelvins). In the Front Studios, studios A, B, and C, have windows.
Q: What chemicals are not allowed?
A: Equipment or materials that produce excessive fumes requiring special ventilation, smoke, fire, excessive dust, noise, or permanent damage to the facilities are not appropriate for this space. If you work with any of these materials, please talk to us about other spaces in the mill that may be more appropriate for these art forms. These following chemicals will not be allowed in the Mill Studios:
- Preservatives/solvents including turpentine, ammonia, sodium fluoride, phenol or mercury compounds. Only low-odor or odor-free mineral spirits are allowed. All solvent-soaked rags must be placed in the self-closing waste disposal can provided and emptied on a regular basis.
- Spray paint or spray fixatives
- Dry pigments
Q: What else isn’t allowed?
A: For the safety and enjoyment of all tenants, the studios will prohibit the following:
- Music. Artists are asked to wear headphones while listening to music.
- Unsolicited critiques. Please offer opinions of your fellow artists’ work only if asked.
- Smoking or vaping anywhere inside the building.
- Sleeping overnight or using the studio as a storage facility.
- Messiness. All tenants are expected to clean up after themselves and always leave common areas clean and uncluttered.
- Disrespectful behavior. This is a safe space for all types of people; any type of rude, threatening, or overall disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
Q: What will be required from me if I’m selected as a tenant?
A: The following items are required if accepted:
- Completed background check
- Certificate of liability insurance naming Orange County and Hedgehog Holdings as additional insured
- A security deposit of one month’s rent plus first month’s rent, which may be pro-rated, are due at lease signing
Q: Will the OCAC help promote me and my work?
A: The purpose of our artist studios is provide space to create work. However, we do want help make the public aware of our artists. We maintain a page on the OCAC website dedicated to our studio artists and feature artists through our monthly enews (6,000 subscribers), as well as through our social media accounts (@OCNCarts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram). Regular marketing of work, engaging collectors, etc., is up to the individual artist.
