Our professional practice ethos means your experience will be as close as possible to a ‘real world’ one with all the freedom and responsibility. All activities, practices, and processes are student-led. So strictly no scheduled learning and teaching is permitted.
Do’s and Don’t’s
Our professional practice are ‘open access’, no teaching is permitted. We also expect everyone working and visiting the space to follow our protocols and policies:
| What you CAN do | What you CAN’T do |
| Use water-based paints, watercolour, acrylics and ink Wash out brushes in the sinks in communal studios 8 and 9 | No oil paint, spray paint, or solvent based materials can be used anywhere in the building Strictly no plaster, concrete, silicone, latex or resin work |
| Fix artwork to walls with tape, pins, blu-tac, stapling or other temporary fixings Pining into false walls/boards only | No hammering or screwing nails into walls without prior permission RISK: asbestos in walls of old building |
| Use tools provided in the studios, make sure you check power tools for any damage before using | No personal power tools or other electric equipment or materials to be used, without prior authorisation from Course Leaders |
| Charge devices safely | Don’t overload electrical sockets or ‘daisy chain’ extension leads |
| Follow best practice for cutting, always using a mat and dispose of blades in the sharps bins | Don’t leave blades or other potentially dangerous equipment unattended |
| Make use of the reuse and recycle bins provided in the studios | Don’t dispose of materials in the general waste |
| Always move heavy objects, like furniture and equipment with someone else, and make sure the Space Supervisor knows what you’re doing | Only use ladders if you’ve done ‘working at height’ training and follow the correct procedure |
| Store work in progress and materials and/or equipment on a temporary basis only in line with your booking slot, and at your own risk | No permanent storage of work or any possessions (any items will be disposed of following one formal notice to remove) |
| Use designated smoking areas | Strictly no smoking, vaping or drugs in the studios |
| Serve alcohol at events and exhibition private views up to 11pm (no sale) | No alcohol should be consumed in UAL studios, with the exception of organised private views for exhibitions and events |
| Be an ambassador for UAL and respect our neighbours | Don’t do anything to disturb other people working or visiting Millbank Tower Podium |
| Be part of the team, collaborate–this is a professional practice community, be kind to yourself and other students | Keep noise down, avoid messy or smelly food, leave the space clean and tidy ready for the next student |
Professional practice studio principles
1. Reserve Your Spot
You will need to have a space reserved in the studio to work – to avoid disappointment it’s always best to book in advance.
Once you reserve a space you commit to using it for the duration of your booking—please do not leave spaces regularly unoccupied.
2. Say “Hello”
We want to build a friendly supportive learning community here at Millbank Tower Podium, so let other students working in the space know that you’re in with a quick “Hi”, and intro if you don’t know each other.
Because you are working off campus, it is even more important to be reassured that everyone around you should be there, too. And of course, let the Space Supervisor know you are in. Also, wear your UAL lanyard whilst on-site so it is clear that you’re a student and in the right place.
In the case of an evacuation for H&S, fire regulations etc. in addition to checking in with everyone, please always sign in and sign out on the day sheet on the reception desk.
3. Take in your surroundings
You have booked a spot and that is yours for the length of your slot but you’re also working in the whole studio space together with your fellow student makers—all of you together are responsible for creating a safe accessible working environment for everyone.
Our studios are flexible, agile spaces so may change from day to day. Pay attention to the other students around you and what they are doing, make sure routes around the studios are clear—so everyone can get around, and if needs be, can evacuate the space easily. Charge devices safely, without cables creating a trip hazard, for example.
Report all accidents or incidents no matter how trivial – in person with the Space Team. or email ccwmillbanktower@arts.ac.uk
4. Be respectful
In the studio, it is all about being inclusive and part of the team. Think about your impact on your fellow student makers, be considerate and keep the noise down so others can concentrate, for example, take phone calls outside and listen to music on headphones, socialise and chat in the breakout and communal areas.
Do not bring messy and/or smelly food into the studio, again take time away from your work to eat and socialise.
Think of others in terms of your content—be ethical, respect diversity and avoid offending other students.
Take care of yourself—consider your own wellbeing and the emotional space of those around you.
When you leave the studio, clean up after yourself. Make sure the space is clear and tidy for other student makers to work after you. Put all equipment back in its place ready for the next person, and take away any papers or other materials with you. Remember that the space and all the facilities are shared.
Outside the studios—out and about around the Millbank Tower Podium you’re acting as an ambassador for the University. There are a wide range of organisations and people working in the Centre and no doubt they will be interested in what you are doing be friendly and approachable – you are responsible for upholding UAL’s reputation.
5. Manage your own making
This is a shared space for self-directed learning through making, there is no teaching.
The Space Supervisor is on-site to make sure the studios run smoothly and safely and offer advice and guidance about working in the space but not about your work.
Tutors will visit from time to time, but all formal teaching, crits and instruction will take place back on-site at Chelsea College of Arts. You will be expected to continue to engage with all scheduled learning and teaching as part of your course.
Your time in the studio is an opportunity to make work, explore and exchange ideas. You can take risks with your practice and experiment with the support of your fellow students.
It is a chance to foster ways of workings that might become a blueprint for setting up your own sustainable studio collectives after college.
6. No storage
The studios are your working space so for the duration of the session you have booked, you can keep work in progress where you are working as long as it does not pose a hazard for others. However, once work is made it should be photographed, and then removed. Discussion and assessment will also happen on-site back at college.
There is no permanent storage for work or any other possessions.
Please do not hoard materials in booked areas, use the material banks, reuse, and recycle bins provided in the studios.
If you intend to bring any personal tools (other than your computer) with you, please speak with your tutor in advance to ensure that the tools are low risk and do not require on-site technical support. The studios must remain a low-risk environment.
You can also leave the tools in the studio for the duration of your booking but strictly at your own risk.
7. Be safe
We need to adhere to some ‘housekeeping’ dos and don’ts. Breaching these can affect our contract and/or damage our relationship with the Millbank Centre as well as UAL’s public reputation.
And most importantly, what you can and cannot do in the space is about keeping everyone safe, so the Do’s and Don’t’s must be observed at all.
The CCW Millbank Tower Podium Team are on hand to support and guide you.
Calie Calatayud, Space Supervisor: c.calatayud@arts.ac.uk
Martha Short, Space Assistant: m.short@arts.ac.uk
George Hill-Baker, Space Assistant: george.hillbaker@arts.ac.uk