ateliers

An atelier is a room or workshop where an artist creates and, in many cases, teaches. The term comes from French and literally means workshop or studio. In its historical sense, ateliers were central to European and American art training for centuries, serving as the space where a master artist ran a studio and took on apprentices.

Traditionally, an atelier operated as both a production space and a site of instruction. Apprentices learned through direct instruction, copying from masters’ drawings and plaster casts, receiving feedback, and gradually undertaking original work under supervision. The structure and practices varied by country, but common elements included an emphasis on lineage, critique, and the transmission of technical skill.

In contemporary usage, an atelier can refer to any artist’s private studio or to a cooperative or rented space where artists, designers, or craftspeople work. Some ateliers maintain traditional elements such as life drawing sessions or model-based work, while others focus on contemporary practice, concept development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In fashion and crafts, ateliers may denote the workshop of a designer or couture house, where bespoke pieces are conceived and produced.

Today’s ateliers may also offer residencies, classes, or exhibitions and can be found in urban and rural settings around the world. The term remains a flexible designation for a space dedicated to creative production, instruction, and mentorship, reflecting both historic lineage and modern collaborative practices.