NUCLEO vzw develops affordable, good quality studios in the city of Ghent and its surroundings for artists active in various art disciplines.

NUCLEO vzw has a policy of broadening and deepening its studio activities by paying particular attention to the social environment, by practising thorough networking and addressing the need for production facilities.

NUCLEO vzw is in the process of developing a vision on studio management and policy in Flanders and thus acts as a centre of knowledge for other organisations and local governing bodies which wish to develop and manage artists’ studios.

Nucleo

1 The issue of artist studios

Contrary to surrounding countries, until fairly recently there was almost no coherent policy for artists’ studios in Flanders. Many artists however experience problems in finding a suitable work space. The financial position of the artist is fragile: their regular income is usually low, but also discontinuous. The rental of a home and work space is a considerable financial burden. Many artists therefore, out of necessity, work at home. This often creates a far from safe situation, for example where dangerous products are being used, especially when small children also live there.

Many of these studio problems can be brought back to the lack of any management structure which takes responsibility for specific facilitational issues of artists. NUCLEO attempts to cover part of this by creating and offering affordable, quality studio spaces to both emerging and established artists working in a variety of disciplines. This is no excessive luxury, because the need for decent studios with water, electricity, heating and sanitary provisions, is genuine: NUCLEO receives applications on a weekly basis.

2 Goals

Nurturing ground: work space for artists

NUCLEO vzw develops and manages affordable and good quality studio spaces in Ghent and its surroundings. Working from a process-oriented vision, NUCLEO here offers artists the freedom to work without result-oriented pressure. Recently graduated artists can in this way be encouraged to keep living and working in Ghent after their studies.
The city of Ghent is an important partner in the shaping of this studio policy and in the search for suitable premises for a – whether temporary or otherwise – re-allocation for use as studio spaces.

Springboard: artistic network

NUCLEO vzw is committed to contribute to creating a stimulating working environment for its artists. They are given the opportunity to come into contact with the broader arts field.
The organisation organises the Open Ateliers (open studios) on an annual basis, promotes the artists in residence via its website and occasionally invites curators and other arts professionals for a studio visit.

Workshop: Production facilities

Artists not only need a work space; they also require the necessary production facilities, ranging from a silkscreen press to a ceramics kiln. NUCLEO wishes, in collaboration with the city of Ghent, to investigate how these needs can be met within the Ghent arts field.

Societal integration

NUCLEO vzw carries out its studio policy whilst paying heed to the social environment of its studios. The studios are as a rule located within an urban context.
NUCLEO not only stimulates the contact between the artists among themselves, but also with the neighbourhood in which the studios are located. This happens through a variety of events and the active participation in social-artistic projects.

Centre of knowledge and laboratory

NUCLEO vzw permanently questions its own activities and the studio policy which is followed. The organisation is continually expanding its expertise.
Via its networks at a Flemish and an international level, NUCLEO is constantly abreast of new developments in terms of studio policy and management.
Moreover NUCLEO vzw wishes to advise other organisations on the basis of its knowledge and expertise, to develop a thorough vision on studio management and to play an active role in Flemish studio policy.

3 Target group

NUCLEO vzw aims itself mainly, but not exclusively, towards visual artists. Alongside the visual arts, the disciplines of film and literature are also represented. Particular attention is paid to ensure that artists in disciplines other than the visual arts do not form a hindrance to the resident artists.

Cultural organisations may also call upon NUCLEO vzw. Organisations with mainly commercial aims are not eligible to apply for a space.

In order to allocate studios in a transparent and objective way, NUCLEO developed an allocation policy which is carried out by an independent Allocation commission.

4 Structure

NUCLEO is a non-profit organisation with its registered address at Lange Violettestraat 239, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.

Click here for an overview of the staff and board members.