EMPTY shops and offices in York will be given a new lease of life by a project to let local artists use vacant spaces as studios and workshops.

The Blank Canvas project, which launches officially in York next week, gives landlords the chance to let the properties in the short term, while giving artists the opportunity for low cost spaces to work in.

The scheme follows a similar one in Leeds and is run by arts charity Skippko. So far, the York co-ordinator Emily Harvey has signed up a former gas engineers training centre on Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, which will operate as 20 individual studios on offer for very low rent; and two storeys of empty accessible office space at Monks Cross.

Available soon will be empty shops on Gillygate and in Acomb, and large, light spaces in Stonebow House.

Emily, an print maker who also does community art work, said she knows only too well the scarcity of affordable studio space in York.

"I started promoting it just a few weeks ago, and I think it's going to be popular. Artists in York are desperate for space."

The spaces can be used for anything from studios, to exhibitions, performances and rehearsals, and meetings, classes and courses. They are offered short term on the understanding that they could be let to a paying tenant at short notice, with artists to moving out in weeks leaving the space in the same condition they found it.

As well as helping artists, the project has financial incentives for landlords who benefit from rate relief and see their properties occupied and looked after.

Members pay a between £25 and £100 a month to use the Blank Space properties, with the money covering administration costs and anything extra going to a fund to support to support future community arts projects in York.

Blank Space will hold an open day on Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm at the artists' studios at 2 Kettlestring Lane, followed by a launch event on Monday, July 7 from 2pm to 6.30pm at Omega 3 on Monks Cross Drive.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.facebook.com/blankcanvasyork