As part of our feasibility research project for a large scale arts venue in Leamington Spa, we are visiting a number of arts venues across the country who do similar things and have similar aims to what we imagine this space to be.
For our third research trip we decided to keep it local and headed off to Birmingham. Situated in the historic Jewellery Quarter you’ll find Stryx a relatively unique, female artist led space, with studios and exhibition spaces in Digbeth and this new second space within the Jewellery Quarter.
We headed to the Vyse St Gallery located directly opposite the Jewellery Quarter train station to meet with Karolina and Anna the founders. Together they are an incredibly passionate duo who took over the building around 1 year ago after it had lain empty for some time in a reasonably dilapidated state. They have worked wonders with the renovations adding bright and colourful signature Stryx branding whilst also retaining the buildings’ character, creating something vibrant and inspiring for its users. 
Founded in 2012, Stryx focuses on supporting artists through residencies and artist development programmes. They invite the public to experience the process of art making and exhibition production creating an open platform for learning and growth. Stryx seeks to initiate and develop regional and national artistic collaborations in order to promote and strengthen an accessible and vibrant network of ideas and practices.
Stryx offers a range of 15 artist studios varying from small to large, shared and individual spaces in Digbeth and 6 studios at the their new Jewellery Quarter site with more currently being built. 
A brand new addition to the Stryx gallery within the Jewellery Quarter site is a Community Art Cafe. It is a lively modern space which hosts programmes of exciting events, activities, family fun workshops and exhibitions. Stryx is a Birmingham Hub for Mothers Who Make, a group which strives to connect and support local mothers, birth-givers, and care-givers who are also creators through various means such as peer support meetings, workshops, events, discussions, artist talks, exhibitions, and more. The hub is located at Stryx, managed by two female artists and mothers committed to making space for local mother/nonbinary parent creatives. 
We came away with some really fascinating insights into how Stryx has developed over the last 10+ years and what makes their arts spaces work, as well as some amazing advice!
Here are a few of the takeaways that kept coming up:
1. Think of your arts space as a business
It is crucial to have a good understanding of how a business is run and everything that goes with it from day 1. It also helps to have a business mentor who keeps you on task with all the vital details.
2. Always consider what’s in it for you
Always remind yourself that you are an artist first and foremost also and carve out time to focus on your own practice. Consider what you are getting out of the experience of running an arts space also - you don’t always have to put everyone’s needs ahead of your own.
3. It lots of hard work - but have fun and enjoy your art space
It takes a lot out of you setting up and running an arts space. However it is so important to remind yourself that you are doing what you love and feel passionate about.