EXCITING opportunities for art commissions, residencies and personal development are to be unveiled on 27 March at the launch of the Essex Network of Artist Studios (ENAS).

Its mission to enable Essex artists to thrive and develop through collaborative working, ENAS was conceived in 2012 when representatives from eight ‘foundation’ studios across Essex, firstsite, ACAVA (Association for Cultural Advancement Through Visual Art) and Essex County Council Cultural Development Team (ECC Culture) met to discuss how studios could become more sustainable through making connections and sharing best practice.

Funding was successfully secured through Arts Council England’s Grants for the Arts Programme, enabling ENAS to move towards meeting its main aims, which include increasing artistic excellence, developing audiences, and improving business resilience through becoming a pivotal resource for local artists.

The eight foundation studios are:

Temporary Arts Project (TAP), Southend www.t-a-p.org.uk

Cuckoo Farm, Colchester www.cuckoofarmstudios.org.uk

Gatehouse Arts, Harlow www.gatehousearts.com

Hadleigh Old Fire Station, Hadleigh www.hofs.org.uk

ACME High House Studios, Purfleet www.acme.org.uk/studios/highouse

The Hive, Chelmsford www.thehiveartiststudios.moonfruit.com

Parndon Mill, Harlow www.parndonmill.co.uk

Slack Space, Colchester www.slackspace.org.uk