DIGITAL CAMPUS: Find, Set up an Manage your own DIY Artist Sutdio Community in Berlin

Find, Set up and Manage your own DIY Artist Studio Community in Berlin (even on a tight budget and without fluent German)

When affordable studio spaces and artist communities are unavailable, sometimes the best option is to start your own. But where do you start? Artist and community organiser Lillian Morrissey shares her knowledge and insight as the cofounder and director of three artistrun studio communities, from 2012 until the present: Angular Studios (Lichtenberg, 28 artists), Adalbertstrasse 9 (Kreuzberg, 6 artists) and Join the Dots (Sydney, over 30 artists and community members).

This workshop provides a practical, experience based guide to setting up and running a DIY artist studio in Berlin: even if you’re on a tight budget, and you don’t speak fluent German. It covers the full process from forming a core group and finding affordable space to managing finances, navigating organisational and legal considerations, and maintaining a functional and Vibrant artist studio community over time.

Participants will gain insight into the realities of setting up an independent, artist run studio community in Berlin’s market, including how to move quickly on opportunities, avoid common mistakes, manage conflict, and build a harmonious and sustainable shared working environment.

Suitable For: Artists who are looking for studio space in Berlin, and who are motivated to establish and direct their own DIY Studio community

Finding and Setting up Your Space

Part 1: Foundations
Forming a core group
Defining vision, expectations, and rules
Financial planning, banking and affordability
Exercise: mapping your resources

Part 2: Finding and Securing a Space
Where and how to search
What to look for to find something affordable
Understanding rental terms and a few legal basics
(NOTE: I am not offering legal advice)
Preparing documents and moving quickly
Presenting your project professionally

Part 3: Setting Up the Studio
Contracts, roles, and organisational structure
Renovation, permissions, and safety
Onboarding new members
Exercise: describe your dream studio project
Directing and Managing a Joyful Community

Part 4: Running the Studio
Clarifying your shared vision for the community
Setting up behavioural rules and clarifying expectations
Financial management systems
Cleaning and shared responsibility
Communication structures
Building and maintaining community consciously
Know your rights as a tenant

Part 5: LongTerm
Sustainability
Conflict resolution and group dynamics
Preventing toxic situations
Directing versus accepting the reality of community:
how to strike a flexible balance
Planning for change and exit strategies
Exercise: conflict resolution scenarios