A Creative Reuse Center is a space dedicated to the collection and redistribution of gently used or surplus art materials, craft supplies, and other creative resources. The goal is to repurpose these items for new, imaginative projects, helping reduce waste and promote sustainability.

These centers make high-quality, affordable supplies accessible to artists, educators, and makers, while fostering creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.

Creative reuse centers often host workshops, classes, and events, inspiring people to rethink what can be used in artistic and practical ways. Once we have a space, we will host these types of sessions and events!

You can see a list of many of the creative reuse centers in the US here.

At The Spare Studio, we are committed to making creativity accessible to everyone on the South Shore - and beyond. Our mission is to provide high-quality, art supplies and creative experiences that nurture artistic expression across all ages and skill levels. By donating your gently used or surplus art materials, you’re helping us reduce waste while supporting a thriving local arts community.

In these early stages, we are collecting donations to organize and rehome (whether it's through sales or giving to local charitable organizations). Our ultimate goal is to do both: grow our business into an artists' hub through second-hand retail and to be able to sustainably give to organizations in need.

While we are dedicated to making The Spare Studio a reality, we recognize that unforeseen circumstances could arise. If The Spare Studio does not come to fruition, we will return your donated items to you or, with your permission, donate them to a local organization in need of art supplies.

Together, we can build The Spare Studio—a place where creativity thrives, and where every artist, no matter their background or skill level, can find the tools and community they need to grow.

Some (not all) creative reuse and arts centers are non-profits, The Spare Studio is a mission-driven for-profit organization.

This model gives us the freedom to innovate and adapt quickly to our community’s needs and allows us to invest in hiring of artists and green-collar team members.

As a for-profit, we also have the ability to give to the already well-established nonprofits on the South Shore. It positions us as future patrons to their incredible work, not competitors for limited arts funding.

As we establish and grow, we will collaborate with arts-based community organizations to give back. Please reach out if you are interested in partnering in the future!

While we deeply value the investment many local artists make in their materials, The Spare Studio does not offer consignment sales. Instead, we focus on building a strong inventory of materials to foster creativity in the community. We hope that you would consider donating student and artist grade materials - all of which will find new homes and uses.

However, we’re passionate about promoting local talent. If you make a donation of art materials, we’re happy to offer an opportunity to showcase your artistic work! This could include sharing your website or social media on our platforms, giving your art and creative journey visibility within our growing network.

By donating to The Spare Studio, you’re not only helping reduce waste and support a sustainable arts community—you’re also contributing to a space that celebrates local creativity in new and impactful ways. Thank you for helping us bring the joy of art to everyone!

Though we’re still in the planning stages, you can help make The Spare Studio a reality by donating your gently used art supplies. Your contributions will play a crucial role in bringing this creative vision to life and ensuring that our future store is well-stocked and ready to inspire.

We are in the very early stages, which is why our website is only about supply donations. But, we have a huge list of things we need to do, and would love your input and support!

Reach out to us through our contact form below. We are looking to connect with folks who teach art, appreciate art, and give back.

We are also actively looking for a retail or industrial space. If you have any leads, please let us know!