CERF+ "Get Ready Grant"
CERF+ "Get Ready Grant"
There are significant costs related
to setting up a personal studio, aside from equipment costs, OVERHEAD has to be
the next biggest one. When deciding on a studio budget, (knowing I would be
moving across country to a new city with zero contacts) I had to be realistic
about my projected income.
Before moving to Ames, IA, I
researched the possibility of renting studio space. The Creative Artists’
Studio of Ames,(Here) has a fully equipped ceramic
studio and rental spaces for artists ranging from beginner to experienced.
Their facilities are wonderful, and they have a positive impact on the
community, however, it was not a match for me. The maximum work space rental
size was 10’x10’ and for approximately $3000 per year. The size/cost ratio
would not work for me, I need at least three times as much space for a fraction
of the cost.
This roadblock simply allowed for a
new path to be forged. Over the past seven years, I have never had my own
private studio. It has always been a shared/communal workspace. It is great to
work in a lively atmosphere with many voices and ideas, but very difficult to
get solitude and focused work accomplished. Ultimately, I decided the best
solution would be to create my own, personal studio. Instead of renting a space
away from my residence, I combined them. There are many benefits to this:
- No commute to work.
- Able to closely monitor the work through the varied
processes.
- Ability to be around while the kiln is firing.
- NO COMMUTE TO WORK!
Safety cannot be an afterthought and
must be in the forefront of the mind when designing a productive studio. Instead
of safeguarding a studio later, consider a few basic safety features when
scouting for a new location. Ask yourself:
- Is this location in a floodplain?
- Is there long term structural damage to the building?
- Ventilation?
- Pests/rodents?
After careful evaluation of each of
these questions, I sought out the ideal home studio location.
The financial burden of starting out
as an independent artist is difficult. Undergraduate school through my final
semester in graduate school, I had taken out very little student loans. The
likelihood of a recent college graduate obtaining a bank loan with a reasonable
interest rate is unlikely. Therefore, I decided to withdraw the maximum student
loan amount on my final semester. This decision allowed for a couple ‘big
ticket’ equipment expenses.
Grant writing is an invaluable
resource when securing funding to assist with your studio. Be sure to check out CERF+ (Here) to find assistance that would be best for you. Even doing simple Google searches for "artist grants" you can find endless resources tailored for your unique discipline.
Having the financial support of
CERF+ to obtain the necessary materials needed to install a professional
ventilation system, I wasted no time and got right to work. My first step was
to obtain all the necessary materials.
With proper ventilation, I know that
I’m protecting myself from dangerous chemicals and fumes, and firing a kiln can
be a stress-free activity with minimal health related problems. With the “CERF+
Get Ready Grant” I proposed to purchase a downdraft ‘Vent-Sure’ ventilation
system for my electric kiln. Equipped with a high-quality kiln vent, I will be
safeguarding my health to ensure longevity in my studio.
When outfitting your studio with
health and safety measures, you really need to know your
equipment. And this is a good thing. You want all of your equipment to work together. In my case I needed a ventilation system that:
equipment. And this is a good thing. You want all of your equipment to work together. In my case I needed a ventilation system that:
1. Would not affect my warranty with
the current kiln I have.
2. Had strong enough air-flow
power to vent both an updraft hood vent and a downdraft floor vent. It became
apparent that I needed double ventilation. A hood vent to divert rising heat,
and a floor vent to remove hazardous fumes.
3. Physically fit in the studio
space that I have.
Having the financial support of CERF+ to obtain the necessary materials needed to install a professional ventilation system, I wasted no time and got right to work. My first first step was to obtain all the necessary materials.
These adjustable pipe hangers where used in tandem with SCH 40 PVC, hung from the rafters.
(The PVC 'clicks' down into place after ensuring proper alignment)
To incorporate the exhaust fan into the basement window, I used a combination of 1/2" plexiglass and 3/4" plywood. After cutting the correct diameter hole, I used stainless steel nuts, bolts and washers to connect everything. Finally I used door and window silicon to ensure a water tight seal.
Using only quality, industrial products ensures longevity!
Here is an image of the final ventilation system installed on my kiln.
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