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how much $ for studio time

updated fri 27 jan 06

 

logan johnson on mon 23 jan 06


Hi Gang,
Sorry my first try at this post didn't go through so I'm tryin' it again.....
I just opened my first store in Dec. & now people are asking me "How much do you charge for studio time?" they don't want lessons just a place to work, glaze & fire what they make ( I fire to ^6 in oxidation). I decded to charge by the square inch for firings because that's the only way I've heard of doing it. Does anyone have any suggestions on how much might charge for studio time and or kiln space? I plan on making a grid to put work on to see how much kiln space each piece takes up but really don't know how much per sq, inch I should charge. What do you charge? What do any of you pay? Thanks for your help, you guys are SUCH life savers! I can't imagine what I'd do without you all.
Thanks!
Logan



Logan Johnson Audeo Studios
www.audeostudios.com
"Carpe Argillam!!"

Mishy Lowe on tue 24 jan 06


Hi Logan,
I have a studio in Phoenix with classes some pretty good 'open studio' traffic. My pricing system is a bit complicated, but it seems to work okay for me and my customers (some are longtime, 3 years plus). Here is what I charge as of January 2006-
Open studio-
Either- $10 for one day, or prepay $40 for five days, or one month for $60 (unlimited use, by appointment, flexible hours) This includes only USE of the studio, tools, equipment, customers purchase their own clay and firings.

Firing-
Either- 60c/inch (measuring longest side, some odd shaped items or small items I will adjust to be more fair to myself or the customer) or $60/month (for those working in other studios who just want firing) or $35/month added to the monthly open studio ($95 total for open studio and all firings)

Even though it seems complicated, it seems to flexible enough to allow for most types of customer, whether they have time to work in the studio a lot or just occasionally. Feedback is that it's nice to have an affordable place to come and work with really flexible hours and working space. Hope that helps Logan, and to ya all out there in clayart land, it's nice to be back and SEE YOU AT NCECA!!!

Mishy




logan johnson wrote: Hi Gang,
Sorry my first try at this post didn't go through so I'm tryin' it again.....
I just opened my first store in Dec. & now people are asking me "How much do you charge for studio time?" they don't want lessons just a place to work, glaze & fire what they make ( I fire to ^6 in oxidation). I decded to charge by the square inch for firings because that's the only way I've heard of doing it. Does anyone have any suggestions on how much might charge for studio time and or kiln space? I plan on making a grid to put work on to see how much kiln space each piece takes up but really don't know how much per sq, inch I should charge. What do you charge? What do any of you pay? Thanks for your help, you guys are SUCH life savers! I can't imagine what I'd do without you all.
Thanks!
Logan



Logan Johnson Audeo Studios
www.audeostudios.com
"Carpe Argillam!!"

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Mishy
Mishy@desertdragonpottery.com
http://www.desertdragonpottery.com
Desert Dragon Pottery 602-690-6956

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Richard Aerni on tue 24 jan 06


This will be an interesting topic for me as well...
I do an "open studio" and want to figure out a fair figure for both sides.
A lot depends on how much a person uses the space, and how much it costs the=

leaseholder for the space, as well as what equipment and other perks are
offered...

Here is my advertisement for my space, for your information:


STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE

WORKING POTTER SEEKS 1-2 MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF STUDIO SPACE

Richard Aerni, full time potter for over 25 years, has space in his studio
in the Hungerford Building for individuals who are looking for a creative
work space to ply their craft. This is an opportunity for people who have
gone beyond the =93take a class=94 level, and are looking for a place to dev=
elop
and hone their skills. The studio is fully equipped, with an open floor
plan in order to provide optimal use of the facilities and encourage
creative dialogue between the occupants.

The studio contains a high fire gas car kiln, electric kiln, slab roller,
extruder, spray booth, glaze lab, tool and packing room, extensive storage
space and shelving, space for wheel throwing and hand-building, a showroom
for possible sales opportunities, a permanent professional photography
set-up, electric potter=92s wheels (or space for your own), high ceilings,
abundant southern light, a loading dock=85in short, a clean, warm, creative
environment.

Base cost for your participation would be $150 per month for unlimited
studio usage, with additional fees for kiln firing. This is a great
opportunity for a serious student of the craft to participate in the
workings of a full-time production facility, sharing your energy and
excitement and having available the expertise and experience of one of
Rochester=92s premier working potters.

Contact: Richard Aerni 429-0211, raerni@rochester.rr.com

Studio: The Hungerford Building
1115 East Main St. (corner of Goodman and E. Main)
Suite 106, Door 5
Rochester, NY 14609

Craig Clark on tue 24 jan 06


Logan, you can either rent out space on a monthly square foot basis
or by the hour. This is dependent upon what you want, whether or not you
can sequester your space, and what the folks who want to rent from you
want to do. Also keep in mind the skill level possesed by anyone wanting
to rent space. If they are good they can quickly produce copious amounts
of work. At that point storage may become a problem. This is something
to consider.
I don't rent out sequestered space because I don't have enough room
to do so. But, I do know that "artists" space for 200 square foot space
goes for a minimum of $250/month in the inner realms of our fair city.
Can't say what it costs out in the provinces though I suspect it is
considerably less. This is for a bare bones space with a couple 110v
outlets and lights...concrete floor....decent light. No access to kilns,
glaze materials, clay mixing equipment, etc. Many folks around here use
the various Universities and community colleges as "studios" as long as
they can get away with it because of this.
I teach privately and charge my students $6/hr for shop time. Shop
time is defined as any time they spend in the studio on their own
working. On the few occassions where folks who were not students have
shown up wanting some studio space on an hourly basis I charged them
$8/hr. This may not initially seem like a lot but adds up very quickly.
I charge this amount for two reasons. One, and most important in my
mind, is to encourage those who are learning to purchase a wheel and
kiln as quickly as they are able and to develop their own studio. The
other is for the few extra green backs that it generates. Keep in mind
that I don't have that much space, just a little over 600 square foot.
So I won't let anyone who has fully developed skill work in the space.
There just isn't enough room for the amount of work that they would be
able to produce along with mine.
As far as the kilns go I charge $40 for a full bisque load (04) and
$50 for a full cone 6 glaze firing.
These figures are by no means meant to indicate that I have done any
type of market comparisons/testing/or analysis. They are just what I
came up with somewhat arbitrarily several years back and seem to work
well for me and the folks I teach.
Hope this helps
Craig Dunn Clark
619 East 11 1/2 St
Houston, Texas 77008
(713)861-2083
mudman@hal-pc.org

logan johnson wrote:

> Hi Gang,
> Sorry my first try at this post didn't go through so I'm tryin' it again.....
> I just opened my first store in Dec. & now people are asking me "How much do you charge for studio time?" they don't want lessons just a place to work, glaze & fire what they make ( I fire to ^6 in oxidation). I decded to charge by the square inch for firings because that's the only way I've heard of doing it. Does anyone have any suggestions on how much might charge for studio time and or kiln space? I plan on making a grid to put work on to see how much kiln space each piece takes up but really don't know how much per sq, inch I should charge. What do you charge? What do any of you pay? Thanks for your help, you guys are SUCH life savers! I can't imagine what I'd do without you all.
> Thanks!
> Logan
>
>
>
>Logan Johnson Audeo Studios
> www.audeostudios.com
>"Carpe Argillam!!"
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>

logan johnson on tue 24 jan 06


Hi Craig,
I also have VERY limited space in my place One room in a coverted house is my throwing area (appx. 120 sq. ft. ) with a small alcove for hand building., one room is the supply room (clay, tools, chemicals ), the old kitchen is the glaze making/application room & my kilns are in a metal shed out in the parking lot. The two front rooms are gallery. So space is very much a concern. I have some (5) commercial bakers racks & I think I'll give one to any one who wants to rent space . Thanks for all your great suggestions you'll be the first in my new folder on this subject!!

>>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>

______________________________________________________________________________
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.





Logan Johnson
Yakima Valley Pottery & Supply
719 W Nob Hill Blvd. Ste C
Yakima, WA 98902
509.469.6966
www.audeostudios.com
"Carpe Argillam!!"

Ivor and Olive Lewis on thu 26 jan 06


Dear Logan Johnson,

Several factors you might consider in your prime costing. Take firing:

Mass. It takes more energy to fire a pot that is heavy than one that is =
light for the same volume of space.

Volume. Spherical pots demand more volume than cubic or flat pots for =
the same mass of clay.

Footprint. Some pots have a small footprint but occupy a large area of =
shelf space.

Projections. Handles and spouts have to be accommodated. They make =
stacking an intricate process.

Loading time. Do not assume care will have been taken to make sure bases =
are glaze free. you will need to inspect and rectify where necessary. =
This is time and time is costable.

Supervision. Even if a kiln is set on auto pilot it needs attention. You =
are worth per hour what the plumber, the auto mechanic and the =
electrician are worth.

I do not know how to weight these factors in #$$$ terms. It not easy to =
conduct an audit but that is the only way to get to a fair price, pay =
for your time, cover amortisation, cover depreciation, Cover Insurance, =
cover rental or mortgage and make a profit. Apply this to the use of =
your equipment. =20

Let us know how you get on with things.

Best regards,

Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
South Australia.