Resources
The CSS Model
Cross St Studios functioned as a decentralised organisation built on shared responsibility, collective decision-making, resourcefulness and community support.
Without hierarchical leadership, we found members gravitated toward necessary roles (artist liaison, event promotion, gallery minding, finance and building maintenance), while major decisions, like accepting new studio members and exhibition proposals, were made in regular team meetings.
Operational costs were kept low; mostly covered by rent from the ten on-site studios, nominal gallery hireage and a small commission on door sales. This self-sustaining model allowed us to bypass unpredictable public funding, and to have the autonomy and freedom to platform experimental practices that wouldn’t otherwise have a home. We valued community-focused events with peer-to-peer learning (workshops, free schools, informative talks), all-ages gigs, and exhibitions from unrepresented artists. Most of our programming was free or low-cost for both the artists and audiences involved.
We were able to transform a large industrial space using salvaged materials and "sweat equity"—the shared skills, labour and time of volunteers. Major infrastructure and expenses, from framing and GIB-board cladding to electrical wiring, was made possible through donations and the generosity of friends.
By learning from local initiatives and support groups like the Wine Cellar, Artist’s Alliance and the K’ Rd Business Association, we independently navigated bureaucratic challenges including building consents, fire safety and noise restrictions, proving that creative hubs like this are possible when you rally together.
