The not-for-profit arts group has leased the building for six months, providing work space for 21 artists including painters, musicians and graphic artists.
Letterpress and screen print artist Emily Shingleton said being based in Leederville provided good access to art galleries and local inspiration.
‘It is also a convenient place to meet clients,’ she said.
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READ NOWPainter and multimedia artist Amanda Humphries, who lives in North Perth, waited a year to get into an arts space after moving to the city from Sydney.
‘Working in an arts space is so different from working in a garage or at home; it is like an office space for artists,’ she said.
‘Being close to home makes it ideal, as you can come down after work.’
Artsource spokeswoman Ros Brennan said local governments were starting to offer more spaces for artists.
‘Our major spaces are in Fremantle, Leederville, East Perth and Midland. In most cases the locations have chosen us because either the local governments are supportive of the initiative or private property managers want to lease out the site,’ she said.
‘Artsource covers the overheads for the artists, who then only have to pay minimal rent. Because artists are not the biggest earners, they can not necessarily afford commercial rents.’
Ms Brennan said renting to artists had flow-on benefits to the community.
‘Artists not only activate a space that may be otherwise empty , but they also contribute to the local economy,’ she said.
Ms Humphries said state and local government initiatives where developers committed to funding public artworks were helping to build the profile of art in WA.
‘It is really exciting because it gives you a different field to operate in.’