- Introduction
- Acknowledgements
- 1: Getting Ready
- 2: The Costs of Space
- 3: Understanding Credit
- 4: Professional Services
- 5: Finding Space
- 6: Residential Leases
- 7: Commercial and Industrial Leases
- 8: Buying Real Estate
- 9: Types of Mortgages
- 10: The Mortgage Application
- 11: Ownership Models
- 12: Purchasing Alternatives
- 13: Chicago Zoning Ordinance
- 14: Chicago Building Code
- 15: Chicago's Neighborhoods
- 16: Property Taxes
- 17: When You Find a Property
- 18: Inspections
- 19: After Moving In
- 20: Insurance
- 21: Utilities
- 22: Rehabbing Your Space
- 23: Safe and Healthy Spaces
- 24: Green Practice
- 25: When Disputes Arise
- 26: Space Emergencies
- 27: Facility Development Planning
- Bibliography
This Manual is For You
Although Square Feet is Chicago-centered, much of the information it contains is relevant to the workspace needs of artists everywhere in the U.S. Non-residents can use this guide when looking for resources and information in their own communities.
In this manual, we define "artist" as a person who is regularly engaged in the fine arts as a career, not as a hobby. This does not require the artist's work to serve as his or her main source of income, nor does it require the artist to spend the majority of his or her time engaged in the artistic process. Rather, the term refers to individuals who are consistently involved in the fine arts, including but not limited to:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Choreography
- Music Composition
- Dramatic Art
- Film and Video Art
- Fashion
- Graphic Art
- Small-Scale Glass Works
- Ceramics
- Fiber and Textiles
- Woodworking
- Photography
- Custom-made Jewelry or Apparel
- Other Visual, Performance, Sound Arts and Crafts
- Literary
We expect that Square Feet users will fall into one of the following categories:
- Individual artists and collectives looking for work space in commercial and industrial buildings;
- Artists who can work from home;
- Small arts organizations and businesses looking for work space in commercial or industrial buildings;
- Artists who are looking for live/work space in a business- or commercial-zoned property;
- Artists new to the Chicago area;
- Both first-time and veteran space hunters.
While some will be interested in leasing, others will want to investigate options for purchasing. Don’t write off purchasing as an unrealistic possibility; many assistance programs and financing options can help make this dream a reality. Owning your own space is an important choice to consider, as it will provide you with security, stability and a financial foothold in an ever-changing real estate market.
Your particular needs might differ significantly from those of other artists and groups. Feel free to review only those sections that are relevant to your situation.
Don't be overwhelmed by Square Feet Chicago's size and scope. It’s here to empower you to make informed decisions about your leasing and purchasing options. We have taken an enormous amount of information, highlighted the most relevant portions, and created a comprehensive resource specifically with artists' needs in mind.
Please note that the leasing, purchasing and developing of large-scale public arts venues such as public galleries, multi-purpose spaces and performing arts facilities is beyond the scope of Square Feet Chicago. However, this topic is addressed briefly in Chapter 27: Facility Development Planning.