Ashwin Street art studios secured for the future
V22 will create a permanent cultural hub at the facility in Dalston
Art studios based in Dalston’s Ashwin Street are set to remain at the heart of the local creative community following an agreement that will see operator V22 take ownership of the building from Hackney Council and create a permanent cultural hub.
V22 has run the studios at 10-16 Ashwin Street for nearly two decades, providing affordable workspace for artists and creative practitioners at the centre of Dalston’s vibrant cultural scene.
V22 has purchased the building from the Council at the market value. The agreement includes provisions to protect its long-term future as a home for Dalston’s creative and cultural life.
“Over the last 20 years Dalston has become an exciting creative hub, with Ashwin Street at its centre. The Council’s relationship with organisations like V22 and the artists, actors, architects, musicians and historians who come together at venues along Ashwin Street have been at the heart of that journey.
“We fully support and share the creative vision for art and nature presented by V22 and neighbouring Dalston Eastern Curve Garden. This agreement for V22 to take ownership of the building and create a permanent creative hub is therefore really good news, offering a bright future for this locally listed building.”
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney
"We are thrilled to have reached this agreement with Hackney Council. V22 has been part of the Ashwin Street community for nearly 20 years, and we’re proud to have supported so many artists and grassroots organisations during that time. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ashwin Street, one in which affordable creative space is protected for the long term.
“We would also like to thank our neighbours, Bootstrap, Café OTO and the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, as well as the GLA Culture at Risk team, the Mayor of Hackney, and the Hackney Councillors, who endorsed our bid, and of course our incredible studio holders for their commitment, creativity and support throughout this process.”
Edward Benyon, Chairperson of V22