Questions to Ask Before You Rent an Artist Studio: A Tour Checklist

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A studio tour is your chance to find out whether a space suits the way you actually work. Look beyond the room itself: ask about light, access, rules, total costs, lease terms, and what happens when you leave. Take notes, measure what matters, and get important answers in writing before you commit.

Bring this checklist to your studio tour

1. Space and light

• Does the room have enough usable light for your work? Visit at a time when you’d normally create, if you can.

• Where are the windows, outlets, and shared areas in relation to the studio?

• Can you fit your worktable, easel, tools, and finished pieces without blocking the entry?

• Is there room to move around comfortably while you work?

Bring a tape measure and note the dimensions you need, including the doorway if you expect to move large work in or out. Don’t assume a room that looks spacious in a photo will fit your setup.

2. Walls, floors, and changes you can make

Ask what you’re allowed to attach to walls or change in the space. Can you hang work, paint a wall, install shelves, or use floor coverings? Find out whether you need written approval and whether changes must be removed when you move out.

Look closely at the current condition. Ask who handles repairs and how to report damage. Take your own notes about any existing marks or issues before moving in, and ask how the space’s condition will be recorded.

3. Access hours and public hours

“Access” and “open to the public” can mean different things. Ask when you can enter to work, whether those hours include weekends, and whether visitors can come during the same hours. If your studio is in a shared or public-facing space, ask whether you’re expected to open your area to visitors on certain days.

For example, the information provided for Berkeley lists artist access 24/7 and public building hours daily from noon to 5 p.m. For Richmond, it lists 24/7 access and one required public day each week from noon to 5 p.m. The Minneapolis location page identifies the Nicollet Mall studio, but the access and public hours aren’t included in the details provided here. Ask for the current schedule during your tour.

4. Security and entry

Ask how you’ll enter the building and your studio. What keys, codes, or other access arrangements are provided? Can you secure your studio separately? Who should you contact if you have a problem entering or notice a security issue?

Check the route from the building entrance to the studio, too. Consider whether you’d feel comfortable carrying materials in and out at the times you expect to work. Ask how visitors are admitted and whether there are rules for deliveries.

5. Ventilation, utilities, and materials

Tell the manager what materials and processes you use. Ask whether they’re permitted and what ventilation is available. If your practice creates fumes, dust, or strong odors, don’t rely on assumptions: get clear information about what the space supports and what restrictions apply.

Ask which utilities are included in rent, what internet arrangements are available, and whether there are limits on how you use the space. If you need a particular outlet or equipment setup, ask before signing rather than planning around an answer you haven’t confirmed. For more questions to consider about studio safety, see CERF+’s studio safety guide.

6. Storage, noise, and shared-space rules

Find out what storage is included and whether you can keep tools or works in progress in your studio. Ask about noise, visitors, and use of shared areas. If you work with materials that need special handling, ask how they must be stored and disposed of.

It’s also useful to ask how shared-space concerns are handled. Who do you contact if noise, odors, or another issue affects your work? Clear expectations can help you decide whether the community environment suits your practice.

7. The full cost, not just the rent

Ask for a written breakdown of costs before you decide. Find out whether utilities and Wi-Fi are included, and ask about any deposit, insurance requirement, or other charge. The deposit and insurance requirements for each location need to be confirmed directly; don’t assume they’re the same everywhere.

The location details provided list Berkeley studios at about $550 per month starting, with utilities and Wi-Fi included. Minneapolis is listed at $4 per square foot per month, with utilities included; the provided average studio size is about 96 square feet, or roughly $384 per month. Richmond is listed at $2.50 per square foot per month, with utilities included. These prices and size details should be checked for current accuracy before you rely on them.

8. Lease term, notice, and the end of your stay

Ask how long the agreement lasts, how much notice you need to give if you leave, and what happens if you need to move sooner than expected. Get the answers in writing. Zero Empty Spaces studio information describes month-to-month terms with no long-term lease, but confirm the terms for the specific space you’re touring.

Before you commit, ask what you’ll need to do when the studio ends: when to return keys, how to remove your belongings, and whether you’re expected to restore any changes you made. Knowing the move-out process can help you plan as carefully as the move-in.

How do the locations compare?

The locations page links to the company’s location information. Use the city pages to review the details currently available for Berkeley, Minneapolis, and Richmond. Availability varies, so confirm current details rather than assuming a particular studio is open.

Frequently asked questions

What should I bring to an artist studio tour?

Bring this checklist, a tape measure, and notes about your equipment, materials, and preferred work hours. Write down questions you couldn’t get answered during the visit.

Should I ask about public hours if I mainly work alone?

Yes. Ask whether public hours affect your access or require you to open your studio on certain days. Make sure you understand the difference between when you can work and when visitors may enter.

What should I confirm before signing?

Confirm the full cost, what’s included, access rules, permitted materials, lease term, notice period, and move-out expectations. Ask for the agreement and any important promises in writing.

Take the next step

If you’re considering a ZE Artist Spaces studio, check the Rent Space form for current information and submit an inquiry about the location that interests you.

Facts requiring review

• Current availability at each location.

• Whether Berkeley’s starting price is still about $550 per month.

• Whether the Minneapolis average studio size is still about 96 square feet.

• Richmond studio sizes.

• Deposit and insurance requirements at each location.