Council rent subsidy saves Bath arts charity from closure

A charity providing affordable artist workshop space in Bath has been saved from closure thanks to a local council rent subsidy.

44AD, which is based in premises on the city’s Abbey Street, has agreed a three-year lease extension for £10,000 per year, well below what Bath & North East Somerset Council believes is the market value of £40,000 per annum.

The decision is part of the council’s plan to establish the city’s nearby Milsom Quarter as a fashion, art and design destination. 

Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Thriving creative arts charities like 44AD have many social and economic benefits and enable more people in our communities to access the arts.

“Making sure established art spaces such as this one can keep providing affordable, creative workspaces for start-ups and small businesses is key to positioning this area of Bath as a leading arts and fashion destination.”

He added that the council’s support “will also help the charity stay financially resilient by allowing it to access grant funding”.

Katie O’Brien, 44AD Project Director, said: “To have security of tenure will enable us to access funding streams, plan ahead and develop more arts projects which champion the creative expression and ideas of young people, students, graduates, local artists, along with our many visitors.”