Bag Factory Artists' Studios

What Bag Factory Artists' Studios does

Bag Factory Artists' Studios is a non-profit contemporary visual art organisation founded in 1991 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and legally registered as Fordsburg Artists' Studios. It operates from 10 Mahlathini Street in Newtown, Johannesburg, and provides affordable studio space, exhibition platforms, and professional development to a roster of resident and affiliated artists. The organisation was co-founded by Dr David Koloane, Robert Loder, and Sandra Burnett and is a member of the Triangle Network (established 1982) and Thupelo Workshops (1985), giving it intergenerational ties to the international artist-residency ecosystem.

The organisation's primary activity is the operation of studios (14 employees support an estimated 14-20 artist studios) at monthly rentals of R 2,494-3,896 (VAT included), supplemented by a 30% commission on art sales, Factory Circle membership contributions, exhibition revenue, and workshop fees. It runs a structured programming calendar of curated exhibitions, group shows, and capacity-building programmes including the Young/Unframed emerging-artist residency and the Young Womxn Studio Bursary. It partners with the National Arts Council, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the British Council, Strauss & Co., LL Editions, and Whitechapel Gallery (the latter through the Artists' Film International programme spanning 21 countries since 2008).

Commercially, Bag Factory is a hybrid funder: roughly half of its activity is grant-funded (NAC three-year grant 2024-2026, ongoing DSAC support, British Council partnership), with the balance generated through studio rental, sales commissions, and membership. Pricing is publicly transparent (R 2,494-3,896/month for studios), and the Cassirer Welz Award, administered in partnership with Strauss & Co., provides a high-profile auction pathway for member artists. The organisation is mid-scale by South African non-profit standards, with no disclosed revenue and no acquisition or funding-round history.

Name

Bag Factory Artists' Studios

Legal name

Fordsburg Artists' Studios t/a Bag Factory Artists' Studios

Website

https://bagfactoryart.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bag Factory Artists' Studios is a Johannesburg-based non-profit founded in 1991 that provides affordable studio space, exhibitions, and professional development to contemporary visual artists, supported by public grants, studio rental, and partnerships with Strauss & Co. and Whitechapel Gallery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Visual Arts Organization

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Studio Campus / Production Facility Operators (MPADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Studio Tours & Visitor Experiences (MPADAIAL)

Keywords

• Artist studio rentals
• Contemporary art residencies
• Visual arts development
• Artist awards programs
• Gallery exhibitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Studio Rental: Rental fees for studio spaces at the Bag Factory for emerging and mid-career artists. Tier 1 (emerging artists) and Tier 2 (mid-career artists) pricing structures with subsidized rates in exchange for service hours.
2. Art Sales Commission: Bag Factory deducts 30% commission from sales of artworks to support continuation of creative programmes. The remaining 70% goes directly to the artist.
3. Factory Circle Membership: Membership club offering benefits including workshop access, printing/framing discounts, and studio space access for creatives.
4. Exhibition Revenue: Fundraising group exhibitions such as 'When We Gather' generating revenue through art sales.
5. Workshop Fees: Artist-led workshops and professional practice workshops for development programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bag Factory Artists' Studios is a non-profit contemporary visual art organization that provides subsidized professional studio spaces to emerging and mid-career Johannesburg-based artists, alongside a portfolio of residency programs, artist development awards (Cassirer Welz Award, David Koloane Award), bursaries (Young Womxn Studio Bursary), the Factory Circle membership club, the Young/Unframed short-term creative residency, and an on-site exhibition gallery. It also operates a Visiting Artist Residency Programme connecting local and international artists and participates in the global Artists' Film International program alongside 21 international partner organizations.

Product overview

Bag Factory Artists' Studios is a non-profit contemporary visual art organisation providing a comprehensive ecosystem of artist development programs. The core offering centers on studio rental spaces (Tier 1 for emerging artists, Tier 2 for mid-career artists) and the Factory Circle membership club. The organisation operates prestigious awards programs including the Cassirer Welz Award and David Koloane Award, alongside targeted bursaries like the Young Womxn Studio Bursary and the Young/Unframed residency program. Additional services include the annual Summer Salon exhibition, artist workshops, and a gallery hosting regular exhibitions. The visiting artist residency programme connects local and international artists, while participation in the Artists' Film International network links Bag Factory to 21 global partner organisations. The organisation is affiliated with the international Triangle Network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Studio Rental Program Provides professional studio spaces for Johannesburg-based contemporary visual artists, with Tier 1 for emerging artists (3-year cap) and Tier 2 for mid-career artists. Studios are non-residential, approximately 25 square meters, and accessible 7 days a week.
• Factory Circle Membership Club A membership club supporting creatives of all ages on their journey, offering free access to artist workshops, discounts on digital printing and framing services from LL Editions, and access to Studio 18 workspace with desk, meeting area and wi-fi.
• Cassirer Welz Award A prestigious artist development award in partnership with Strauss & Co. Education Fine Art Auctioneers, providing a 3-month residency at Bag Factory, studio space, accommodation contribution, mentorship, and a solo exhibition opportunity for young-career artists from Southern African countries.
• David Koloane Award An award honoring Dr David Koloane, providing emerging artists and writers with a 3-month residency at Bag Factory including studio space, honorarium, travel and data stipends, and mentorship from established writers, curators, and critical arts writers.
• Young Womxn Studio Bursary A studio bursary established in 2019, supported by founding member Sam Nhlengethwa, providing emerging and early-career womxn artists under 35 with a fully funded shared studio space for 12 months, studio critique sessions, exhibition opportunity, and access to communal facilities.
• Young/Unframed Program A short-term creative residency for young artists and aspirant curators that commissions emerging artists to produce new work for their first solo presentation, with financial and curatorial support, studio space, and mentorship for both artists and curators.
• Visiting Artist Residency Programme A professional artist studio space program providing international and local artists with studio space, community access, and opportunities to engage with Bag Factory's cross-generational artist community in Fordsburg/Newtown, Johannesburg.
• Summer Salon An annual exhibition providing emerging, mid-career, and established artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their work, with funds raised supporting Bag Factory's work in developing emerging artists.
• Artist Workshops Professional practice workshops hosted by Bag Factory artists, designed to share and develop skills, build working relationships for younger artists, and develop the Johannesburg art community.
• Exhibition Gallery Regular exhibitions in the Bag Factory gallery showcasing new work by emerging artists to the wider public, including solo exhibitions, group shows, and special programming.
• Artists' Film International A collaborative project featuring film, video, and animation from around the world, established by the Whitechapel Gallery in 2008, where Bag Factory selects an exciting recent work by a South African artist to share amongst 21 global partner organisations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35 years of continuous operation supporting artists at every stage of their careers

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Whitechapel Gallery (London)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Founding partner of Artists' Film International (AFI), a collaborative project featuring film, video and animation from around the world. Bag Factory is one of 21 global partner organizations.
• Artists' Film International Partners (21 organizations)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Global network including Ballroom Marfa, Belgrade Cultural Centre, Bonniers Konsthall, Hammer Museum, Moscow Museum of Modern Art, and others, sharing moving image works annually.
• LL EditionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Resident lithographic studio at Bag Factory providing high-quality digital printing and framing services. Offers discounts to Factory Circle members and collaborates with emerging and established artists, including works by David Koloane, Nelson Makamo, Colbert Mashile, and others.
• Strauss & Co. Education Fine Art AuctioneerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner for Cassirer Welz Award. Provides residency support, exhibition costs, materials, and professional development opportunities for young Southern African artists.
• The Creative Uprising Hub at Constitution HillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for Young/Unframed exhibitions, providing space at Constitution Hill for emerging artists and curators.
• CIRCA on Jellicoe / Everard Read ComplexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibition venue partner for landmark fundraising exhibition 'When We Gather' marking 35 years.
• Triangle NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network originating Thupelo Workshops in 1985. Affiliation provides international artist exchange and residency opportunities.
• Thupelo WorkshopscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1985 with David Koloane, Bill Ainslie, and others as seeds for Bag Factory's founding in 1991.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Künstlerhaus Bethanien: Berlin-based international artist residency providing studio space, exhibitions, and production support. Comparable as a non-profit visual art residency with international programming and artist exchange focus.
• Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts: Omaha-based non-profit artist residency and exhibition organization providing studio space, residencies, and exhibition opportunities. Comparable in operating a residency-plus-exhibition model serving emerging and mid-career artists.
• Market Photo Workshop: Johannesburg-based non-profit photography training institute founded in 1989 by David Goldblatt. Comparable as a South African non-profit providing arts education, studio practice, and professional development in the visual arts.
• Gasworks: London-based non-profit contemporary art organization operating international artist residencies, studio programs, and exhibitions. Closely comparable as a non-profit residency + studio + exhibition model with international artist exchange.
• Triangle Arts Trust: Parent international network of artist residencies and workshops founded in 1982; Bag Factory is a direct affiliate. Operates a global model of cross-cultural artist exchange and is the most structurally comparable peer.

Broad incumbents

• Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten: Amsterdam-based international residency program for visual artists with studio facilities and exhibition support. Comparable as a long-established non-profit residency serving international and emerging artists, though operates at significantly larger scale.
• Goodman Gallery: Major South African contemporary art gallery with deep ties to many Bag Factory alumni. Overlaps in artist development, exhibition programming, and brand within the South African art ecosystem, though operates as a commercial gallery rather than a non-profit.
• Stevenson Gallery: Johannesburg and Cape Town-based contemporary art gallery representing many prominent South African artists, including those who have come through Bag Factory. Comparable in serving the same artist pool and market, though as a commercial primary market gallery.

Regional players

• Association for Visual Arts (AVA): Cape Town-based contemporary art institution providing studio space, exhibition programming, and artist development. Comparable as a South African non-profit visual arts organization serving emerging artists, though based in Cape Town rather than Johannesburg.
• Center for the Less Good Idea: Johannesburg-based interdisciplinary arts incubator founded by William Kentridge providing space for experimental arts practice. Comparable as a Johannesburg-based non-profit arts organization supporting artist development and cross-disciplinary practice.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bagfactoryart
• Facebookfacebook.com/BagFactoryArtists
• Instagraminstagram.com/bagfactoryart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bag-factory-artists-studios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bag Factory Artists' Studios