The Art in Perpetuity Trust

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Art in Perpetuity Trust, also known as APT, is a London-based charity focusing on developing visual arts. It comprises 37 studios for visual artists and a gallery in Deptford.HistoryAPT was founded in 1995, at Harold Works, Creekside, Deptford. Harold Works was put on the market in the early 90s and in due course a group of artists from the Greenwich Artists Studio Association (GASA) negotiated a sale. An agreement was made with their newly established charity, Art in Perpetuity Trust, to takeout a lease with an option to buy the freehold. So in 1995, the artists took over and began converting the warehouse and building into studios.The conversion of Harold Works was accomplished over three to four months, mainly by a small number of APT artists. Thirty seven studios and a gallery space were created and APT artists began to move in from May to August 1995. The option to purchase Harold Wharf was exercised by APT in 1999.FutureAPT is currently in the process of seeking funds for a development of seven new studios for which planning permission was granted in 2005.APT's Studio & Visual Arts Development Programme is looking to the next ten years and incorporates plans to improve the studios, increase access and facilities for people with disabilities, residency and fellowship programmes, and active links and support work with similar organizations locally, nationally and internationally.