community darkroom

[Wayne]

Wondering if anyone has ever started or run a community rental darkroom, and what was involved in getting it started and making it work or what made it fail. Was it a stand alone effort, or part of a larger artists collective, or? I'm thinking a stand alone would have a tough time paying the rent unless maybe it was in a large city. I'm interested in seeing a community darkroom started in a medium sized city (100,000) that I visit frequently. I lack the business acumen and esire to actually run it on a daily basis (and I don't live there year round anyway) but I could help with other aspects of getting it set up. Just curious what I'd be getting into.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Wondering if anyone has ever started or run a community rental darkroom, and what was involved in getting it started and making it work or what made it fail. Was it a stand alone effort, or part of a larger artists collective, or? I'm thinking a stand alone would have a tough time paying the rent unless maybe it was in a large city. I'm interested in seeing a community darkroom started in a medium sized city (100,000) that I visit frequently. I lack the business acumen and esire to actually run it on a daily basis (and I don't live there year round anyway) but I could help with other aspects of getting it set up. Just curious what I'd be getting into.

Wayne
Hi Wayne
I think you would be getting into a whole can of whoopass... I work live in a large city, I did build an 8 station darkroom plus a three station colour darkroom, nothing but massive headaches on the colour side
and no interest in the black and white.

The OP ( on the thread about LED lighting) is from Gallery 44 here in Toronto and is an example of what a world class artist co -op could be.. and I do know that even with 300 plus members and Govt support its a challenge for them.
They have been around since 1980 and I was a member of the original location, until I started my own darkroom spaces.
It takes a lot of commitment, with good members like Marco, and good managers like soJin and Darren who really take an interest in the facility.
I have heard that the building they are in (and made popular by their existence in the building) is seeing potential property tax assessments kill them. They went in the building when nobody would rent , and now all the condo's development is surrounding them, a major decision may come their way unless the powers of Govt give them some kind of compensation .

Bob

 

[Wayne]

Yea I wouldnt even think about this in a larger city, my hair would fall out. And I'm not sure if it would work in a smaller city. Fortunately I'm not going to be the one pulling their hair out running it, I am only interested in helping something get set up and then using it! Thanks for the feedback.

 

[mgb74]

I volunteer at a darkroom that is open to the public, but not strictly a community darkroom as it's part of a for-profit operation.

My sense is that setting it up is the easy part. The hard part is keeping it going. The darkroom I help out at really doesn't pay it's own way if all the costs (floorspace, water, electric, etc) are considered. There are probably 20 casual users and 6-7 frequent users. But I suppose it adds to the overall marketability of memberships.

I believe that in most cases a non-profit sponsor, that views the darkroom as part of it's overall arts mission, is necessary. Though I know of one individual who created a very high end darkroom that has a small number of very dedicated users that each pay approximately $100 a month.

In a town of 100,000 your potential market might be too small. Unless a large university (without a darkroom for general student use) nearby. But keep in mind that a community darkroom could easily consist of 1 to 2 7'x7' darkrooms available on a sign up basis - as long as you have a sponsor.

 

[bdial]

I volunteer with a non-profit photographic gallery, and we have a rental darkroom in Brattleboro, VT. It's not a large place, google says the population is 12K.
For us, it's a labor of love (and tradition) rather than profit, it doesn't truly earn its keep. Unless there are a lot of people in town who are interested in darkroom work, but can't for whatever reason, do their own, I think it would have a hard time making expenses. One angle I'd suggest is having some unique equipment, like perhaps and 8x10 enlarger if you can get your hands on one. A good UV exposure unit would be good too for folks who want to use alt processes.

 

[Wayne]

Sorry I've been on the road and haven't been checking in. Yes I think it would work best (or the only way it would work) would be as part of a larger artists cooperative. Unfortunately the only one of those in the town just closed down. So it will be an uphill battle, but maybe it could be a minor selling point in favor of a new cooperative. First I'll have to figure out if there is any demand for a darkroom.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Build it and they will come..have a gallery too and maybe some computers for scanning etc
There's a for profit here in l.a. like that and they are busy