Leasing / Renting Space

The Storefront Artist Gallery and artist community center leases space in Downtown Pittsfield 

The easiest way to rent a space is to find one that is already set up with artists and is ready to be moved in.

If you want to search for space check out ArtistLink's  artspacefinder. 

If you are looking to rent affordable housing in general, check out our pages on affordable housing.

Artists who are looking at leasing space might find them selves in several different situations:

1. Renting and working from a house, apartment, or residential loft, which means signing a residential lease.

2. Renting a studio in a previously developed artist building, which means either subletting or signing a commercial or industrial lease.

3. Leasing a large undeveloped space for a group of artists which mean signing a larger commercial or industrial lease.

Quick tips on leases:

1. READ CAREFULLY – When you get a lease, do not sign immediately but take it home and read carefully.

2. Get Clarification in writing - If you don’t understand something ask to have it explained and clarified in writing.

3. Revisions –  You have the right to ask for unacceptable elements of a lease to be eliminated before you sign.

4. NO Verbal Agreements – Make sure that everything you verbally agree to or are promised is written down and in the document.

5. Consider a lawyer – It is strongly recommended that you  have an attorney experienced in commercial leasing to review the lease and perhaps negotiate for you. Sometimes a lawyer could get you more than you could on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask lawyers about their experience with commercial leases and their fee. Some might accept artwork in lieu of a fee. Please see our section on finding professionals and it's information about Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

6. If you improve the space, ask for a rent reduction – Don’t hesitate to propose rent reductions in exchange for improvements made by you to the landlord’s property.

7. Know what needs the landlord’s approval –  Be clear about which activities need the landlord’s approval, especially when subletting or subdividing  a floor. You might want to submit a list of subtenants and a floor plan of the improvements you might make to the landlord for approval.

8. Sharing a lease - Most landlords like to deal with only one or two tenants at most even though it might be ideal to have all the artists name on the lease, be sure that the person whose name goes on the lease can handle the responsibility.