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The big energy and innovation in the arts in York is coming from what used to be called the fringe. Bar Lane is proof of concept but it is the brainchild of a genius maverick artist and entrepreneur. Similarly the Arts Barge Project has happened despite, not because of the Arts Establishment. I hope, if the Bonding Warehouse project comes off, that it will be truly independent.

Here are your artists' studios. Room for a hundred or so. http://bit.ly/AvTW66

All you need is to get a trustworthy looking individual to liaise with the owners and collect rent/stop parties. Hasn't it been empty for years?

p.s Let me know when you're in and when the party is :-)

COULD be exciting - but the building is such a beautiful one, I'm quite concerned that turning it into studios and a cafe would be a grotesque misuse of something that most of the people of York (those who don't have studios and arts spaces) wouldn't feel connected with; and which would risk failing to do it up (I'm guessing the artists wouldn't necessarily be rich enough to do the work themselves, and my experience of studios isn't one of 'glam'!). Having artists' studios is important, but making the best use of our best buildings is also important. Is this necessarily the best fit for all?

wonderful news. In CT we had several Arts spaces but one by one they were gobbled up by developers. A multi-media space, like Bar Lane but on a much grander scale has great potential. Big "LIke".

So true, Prof Pig. I'm in your pen.

Well, I remember when the Bonding Warehouse was open. Certainly it was a bar at one time, in the mid '80s I think - probably 85, cos I know I was underage - and the interior is stunning. Perfect place for getting creative.

What I'd love to see is a kind of Space 109-meets-Bar Lane-meets-The Craft Centre (Manchester). Likely to happen? With York City Council at the helm?? Snort.

What I expect we'll see is a wave of fly-by-night trendy-corporate 'meeja' suits and underweight techy introverts in wacky t-shirts. They'll pitch up for the prestige then bale out when they realise the rents are unsustainable for such a titchy city. And, with Shop Local the new mantra, where will these 'creatives' find clients? York has next-to-no industry; its economy is driven by tourism and therefore comprises mainly service sector jobs with already-cash-strapped independents/SMEs. In the hands of York council, with its venal, conservative, backwoods mentality, it'll be mothballed again within the decade. Squat it!

please make this happen

This badly needs to happen, and happen properly, and it should be for everyone, not an elite few. It should stir up a sense of community among York's creatives and get something new going.

Don't know if the Council are aware of the running joke about York being known as the place 'where creativity goes to die.' I've agreed in the past but now there's really no excuse for this kind of enterprise not to work as it does in Bristol, which is full of places like this proposed arts centre.

The only things that can kill this idea are bureaucracy and apathy, so let's not welcome them in.

I am an artist/designer maker and am on the road to starting a creative business, having met alot of people who through tough times and redundancies have done the same, I think a place that could house these hard working producers of fabulous homemade/handmade "not on the high street" wares would be the thing to do..... I already had a visions of a place, busy with people making, baking, designing, framing, printing,sewing..... live music and cafe to entice the customer.... its the future when all the cloned high streets which we are all tired of gives way to the real (shopping) experience!!.... and if the rates and marketing were right many of these people who do have a "bread and butter job" taking them away from what they really want to do..woul dbe able to give that up and be present avoiding the empty studio space problem!...

'Ready, fire, aim!' Don't get too hung up on what it's called or how it's laid out or having a perfect strategy up front. Commit to it and then shape the content. York has a rich creative life hidden under too much history. Now's the time to give the makers and shakers a central physical location. The UNESCO process and feedback from the Seoul UNESCO Conference tells us we need it and we need it now. The missing ingredient. Go for it. Let nobody stop this happening.....

What does a "Media Arts Hub" even mean?

A place for so-called "creative" digital agencies that are essentially a flash in the pan to set up shop? What does that contribute to the potentially vibrant arts community in York? What's that got to do with 'the arts'?

Given the number of disused buildings and offices in York why are those professional artists below clamouring for this to become more "affordable artists studios'? Is it the case that people deeming themselves real 'artists' are wishing to be the 'vanguard' of this new project? When you look to places such as Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield artists and musicians have scoured the property pages to find disused buildings, offices and warehouses to turn in to creative spaces themselves in a wholly collaborative way and at very minimal cost. Shouldn't the focus be not on who wants what from this space but instead on how it can be made easier for people to do it themselves and create a space? It's easy to make a cry of "affordable artist studios" but then this building will be another hollow, unwelcoming space for those 'in the know,' the self-appointed 'central committee'.

I feel that it is dangerous if this space is divided in to what are essentially commercial units by another name - 'digital agencies' and 'professional artists' using the spaces/studios as their offices. Something that doesn't involved and have the support of, the community in an active and positive way will fail, and this building will once again be left in ruin for years to come. York does not need more space for people to sell product from. York needs a space that inspires and encourages people to get creative. We need something that bridges the gap between a selling gallery and and a contemporary test space. Bar Lane is close to getting this unity right, but still has some way to go.

Places such as Space 109 offer genuine community engagement as well as a place for arts based activities on a regular basis - what will having this new arts centre going to do to them? Surely it would be better to look at expanding these places, giving the people who already run these places the tools and support they need to take their projects across York and make the public more aware of them.

The council, the professional arts cadre, and local 'creative' businesses need to start supporting what is already happening - open your eyes to what is already happening around you. With actual support, not just verbal approval, these things that are already happening could really make an impact in York.

The scarcity of studio space in and local to York has meant sky high rates for years now. The city simply can't compete with Leeds at all, where I can think of at least five flourishing new creative spaces to have sprung up in as many years. All now firmly established, full of individuals and ultimately 'affordable'!!!!

York doesn't have the stock of disused mills & warehouse that Leeds can provide 'investors', BUT what it does have is an endless waiting list of creatives!

I'm based in Leeds purely for economic reasons, and frankly a project bid of this kind just seems like entirely the wrong approach.

What would appeal, is simply basic affordable mixed use studio space across the city. That can only come about either though competition or subsidies, both of which have fantastic cultural yields and regenerative value once urban areas are populated with creatives. The case for this can be seen the length and breadth of the country. It's the creative people themselves, NOT the buildings which nurtures the sector, and the motivation for creatives to flourish in their craft, is vastly controlled by their ability to afford the spaces in which they live and work.

The Bonding Warehouse is a beautiful building, crying out for renovation, but I can think of many 'fit for purpose' locations across York that - with very little investment - would provide a fantastic affordable stepping stone for creative people of all denominations to grow.

Invest in people not gentrified grand designs. Just my tuppence.

Artists' studio studio space to the BOTTOM of the Agenda please.

Artists don't have much money, hence often have other paying jobs ( leaving the place empty), are unreliable and are a scruffy lot. I know, I was one of the first artists to move into the Custard Factory in Birmingham.

Whilst I don't disagree with having cheap artists studios at all, I don't think it's the best use of an Arts Centre.

Great idea, bringing together York's excellent arts media organisations. hope it includes an accessible performance space.

Affordable artists' studio space at the top of the agenda please! This is the big gap in York's creative economy.

This could have great potential :)

This could be great if they consult the people who will be using the space. Who is heading up the bid? Do we know? I just hope the Council don’t steam ahead putting money into something that end up being ineffective as it represents one person’s idea’s.

Sounds fabulous!

Yes, please - if it can be a genuinely collaborative space for the arts, which we badly need in York. Yes, if it will genuinely involve the people of York as makers and/or audience and provide space for people to develop innovative community-minded projects.

Never before have we had the opportunity, the infrastructure, the community and council aligning upon the same goal. Creativity is finally high on the agenda... NOW IS THE TIME.... bagsy a river view! ;)

Artist's studios, yes pleeease!

Please make this a reality before I have to sign a new lease - York Council you have until September!

Only today, in an office of 20 people, we were bemoaning the travesty of the Bonding Warehouse.... and York REALLY needs a world class Arts Centre.

I would move our creative digital agency, The Distance there in an instant! Great idea!

Was told this was moving closer today. Great work all involved. Looking forward to hearing more.

Perfect – this has to happen! As a creative and owner of a design agency in the city of York I feel this is an opportunity that must come to reality! Wonderful news! Keep us posted!

A world of Yes.

This would be an amazing addition to the city! And the Bonding Warehouse is such a beautiful and ideal building. Let's hope it happens!