Frequently Asked Questions

Our Space is a former industrial building converted to artist studios. Each studio is unique in layout and was retrofitted to suit the artist who helped renovate the space in the initial build-out. Each space offers flexibility to create art, with ample light, vertical space, and industrial flooring. The studios can be broken out as follows:

Work Studios— these studios are not suitable for sleeping in. Used by artists to further their art practice.

Private Live/Work Studios— these are loft style studios with sleeping facilities in the loft space and artist work spaces on the lower level. Bathroom and kitchen access can be shared or private depending on the studio.

Co-Live/Work Studios— these are loft-style studios with private sleeping and work spaces, and a common living room, kitchen and 2 bathrooms. It’s like living with roommates :)

Our current facility has 17 work studios, 2 private live/work studios and 4 co-live studios.

The work studios range in size from 135 – 500 square feet. The live/work studios range in size from 550 - 1,000 square feet.

Our average rent is about $2 per square foot. Rents are calculated based on not only on size but also additional factors like windows, layout, and location in the facility. Work studio rents range from $325 to $850 and live/work studio rents range from $800 to $1,925.

All studio rents include: utilities (water & electricity); high-speed wireless internet; access to wood/metal shop equipped with tools; shared kitchen; common bathroom and slop sink.

Additionally, there is an on-site, no-fee laundry facility and shower facilities for live/work tenants.

Because it is an industrial building, the Space is not well insulated, so summers can be warm, particularly in the upstairs lofts, and winters can be very cold. Tenants acclimate by ventilating their units in the summer, and bundling up in the winter.

Gated parking spaces are limited. Live/work tenants have priority and can get a parking spot for an additional $75 per month. There is no guaranteed gated parking for work studio tenants— they may park temporarily only if a space is available. However, street parking is usually easy to find and FRED, the free downtown shuttle, is available if you are parked far away.

Work studios in the warehouse are wheelchair accessible from our 16th Street entrance; however, common bathroom and kitchen areas are only accessible by staircase.

Live/work studios are NOT wheelchair accessible.

Generally speaking, pets are not allowed; however, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, with landlord approval.

Space 4 Art has a wood/metal shop for use by tenants. All tenants must sign a release waiver and attend a training before using the equipment.

The building is located in downtown San Diego’s East Village. This vibrant and rapidly changing area is also home to many people experiencing homelessness; city services and other infrastructure serving unsheltered people; and encampments for those living on the streets. We are exposed to evidence of poverty and inequity, and our neighbors include the unhoused and mentally ill. Space 4 Art tenants are known and respected by their downtown neighbors, both housed and unhoused.

The Space is situated within a secure parking area, with access only by phone and a coded pedestrian gate.

All main entrances are secured by key or code. Warehouse and main building doors are locked nightly. All tenant spaces are locked and dead-bolted with a unique key.

All units are equipped with fire alarms. Additionally, fire extinguishers are installed in all common areas, both upstairs and downstairs. Exits to 15th and 16th street are clearly marked and an evacuation plan in the case of fire or earthquake is in place.

Tenants are required to have renters insurance for their personal belongings. Tenants are also responsible for locking gates and not sharing private codes with anyone outside the community.

The first step is to complete an application and join the studio rental waitlist.

We will contact you when we have any studio openings. At that point, we will set up a meeting to show you the available studio, discuss your art practice, and give you a tour of the facility.

To move forward, an applicant will then need to provide two background references (landlord / employment / bank) and proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

For shared or co-live studios, there will be an additional meeting with the co-tenants.

If we are able to offer you a space, we will reach out with details on signing the lease and securing your studio!

Our lease term is 12 months. We require one month’s rent as security deposit, plus a $100 cleaning fee— both are refundable (minus any damages) upon termination of the lease.

We typically have up to 10 people on the waiting list, but don't be discouraged. Not every studio will fit every artist, so your placement on the waitlist may not affect your chances of getting a studio. Applicants on the waiting list will be notified of studio availability before it is announced to the general public.

We find that we have an opening with work studios about every four to six months; however, there is a very low turn-over rate with the live/work studios.

Yes! Some of our larger work studios are shared, and sometimes we’ll have an opening for a shared space. Similarly, sometimes our live/work studios are shared by couples or partners in an art practice.

We’re looking for artists whose work inspires, challenges, interrogates, and enters into dialogue with other contemporary work. The emphasis here is not on homogeneity or sameness, but on compatibility and diversity.

Preference will be given to artists with a demonstrated commitment to a life in the arts, regardless of whether this work is their sole source of income. Our artists are employed in many capacities, and two-thirds of all tenants are teaching artists.

Applicants must live in San Diego— only those interested in working and living in San Diego will be considered.

Applicants need to be committed to participating within the Space 4 Art Community.

Our primary mission is to support artists— first and foremost by providing studios with affordable rents. Resident artists form the core of a collaborative community and are responsible for volunteering for various tasks, and participating in Open Studios and other events. Additionally, our tenant-artists keep their rent low by helping maintain the facility, engaging in planning meetings, and participating in dialogues about our future direction. The type of work may include committee participation, cleaning public spaces, community builds, tenant meetings, and staffing events.