Artspace Lifespace is an arts charity managing unique venues to provide affordable spaces for artists to make, develop and showcase their work. We offer a mix of artists’ studios and space for exhibitions, filming, events, rehearsal and independent retail across our Bristol venues The Island, The Vestibules, Broadmead XP (The Galleries), Sparks Bristol and the Arts Mansion in North Somerset
Serving the Bristol arts community since 2006, we became a registered charity in 2016, specialising in revitalising forgotten spaces on a meanwhile basis. In addition to providing affordable room for artists, we provide consultancy to professionals such as architects, planners and developers who are committed to regeneration focused on community need. Any profits from earned income are reinvested back into sustaining the organisation and supporting our creative community.
We advocate strongly for the arts in the South West. Through our Residency Programme, the facilitation of network meetings and lobbying, we support individual artists and organisations across all sectors and art forms.
The Island 2024 Open Studios is taking place 12th and 13th October.
Take a tour of the old Bridewell Police Headquarters and see how, since 2008 it’s been re-purposed as an arts centre. Artist studios will be open along with the Dance Studio, Circus Training Space, the Cells, Basement and Gallery showing work by resident artists. We’ll also have dance and circus taster classes and building tours.
We have a wide range of rooms to hire over our four buildings.
You might be looking for a large community meeting space in Sparks Bristol , grand rooms at the Arts Mansion or police cells at The Island. Take a look and help us to continue our charitable purpose of providing support and space to the creative community.
Whether it’s film locations, training spaces or messy art studios, we have the right room for you.
Artspace Lifespace offer residencies across our three projects, The Vestibules, Arts Mansion and The Island.
We are proud to support artists to develop new work. Applications for the 2024 residency programme are now open.
“My artspace lifespace residency at Sparks allowed me to carry out my workshops for my research in a relaxing and positive environment that echoes my values. Being able to use the space free of charge relieved a lot of financial pressure too.” – Ellen Edwards
This month’s Creative Spotlight is on Island studio holder Honey Parast.
Honey is a Bristol based illustrator and maker specialising in felted characters. She has a particular love for children’s characters especially the wayward Mr Blobby.
New Theatre show Girlhood on T (pictured), Artist Support Sessions and an Urban Nature Day this September at Artspace Lifespace. https://mailchi.mp/adda0650b91c/artspace-lifespace-september2024-newsletter-20234682
Art is an intangible and often polarising word, but one thing is certain; art can make powerful statements. Images can sum up what is hard to say and transcend languages. There is power in images and the messages you convey, they should be used respectfully. This month, as a reaction to racist fueled riots in […]
Red Roses, Dereliction Tours and Crafternoons at Artspace this August. https://mailchi.mp/cd8238d0f545/artspace-lifespace-august2024-newsletter-20232046
Street Litter protest, Burning Sisterhood and the ABC’s of a new economy this July in our newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/ca73839c41bb/artspace-lifespace-july2024-newsletter
May was a whirlwind of a month for Artspace Lifespace advocating for cultural spaces in our cities. Here are some reflections from our Company Manager, Kathryn Chiswell Jones. On May 11th-12th, we celebrated our first year since Sparks Bristol opened to the public. Thanks to Arts Council England for extending our funding, enabling us to […]