WHAT WE DO

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 are funded by Bristol City Council Cultural Investment Programme, Garfield Weston Foundation and The Nisbet Trust.

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.

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THE ISLAND OPEN STUDIOS GALLERY

In October 2024 we held The Island annual open studios with dance, workshops and circus classes. Take a look….

Many thanks to Sam Patching for the beautiful photographs.

View Gallery
A group of dancers strike a bollywood pose in a dance studio

SPACES TO RENT

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.

Spaces to Hire
a woman wearing roller skates sits on a floor

COMMUNITY OF CREATIVES

This month’s Creative Spotlight is on Island Circus Space member Olga Kaleta.

Olga completed a mini tour of her show Period Drama this autumn, premiering at Small World Theatre in Cardigan and sharing the work at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. She is currently taking a break until the summer to focus on finishing her master’s in Dramatherapy. The Welsh tour will resume in summer 2025, with plans to tour the show in England as well.

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LATEST NEWS

  • The Future is Collaborative: Arts, Economy & Creating Community
    An article by Artspace Lifespace CEO, Kathryn Chiswell-Jones. It’s been 20 years since I last stepped foot in Glasgow – a city that changed the direction of my life (I was proposed to there which ultimately steered me towards Bristol!) So it was a real privilege to be offered the opportunity to return as a […]
  • Sewing Room Memberships Available
    Need more space for your sewing projects? In addition to various sewing and pattern cutting courses, The Sewing Room at The Island offers monthly memberships available for both professionals and budding amateurs. Whether you are looking for something a few hours a week to work on your hobby or wanting to work from the studio more […]
  • Call out for Recent Graduate Curator: The Island Open Studios 2025
    Each year, The Island flings open its doors and invites the public to explore behind the imposing stone walls of Bristol’s former police headquarters turned art space. This September, we’re hosting our Open Studios event (Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th September 2025), featuring artist studios, exhibitions, building tours, and dance/circus taster classes and we’re looking for a recent UWE MA […]
  • 🪻Artspace Lifespace June Highlights🪻
    Dreams, Secret Notes, A Cultural Festival, Bluebells and Mischief this June at Artspace Lifespace.
  • Artspace Lifespace Named One of Five Community-Led High Street Innovators Nationally
    Power to Change has launched Community-Led High Street Innovators to invest in community-led action to revitalise high streets and town centres across England. The project supports community businesses to develop their work on the high street, using community-led approaches to regenerate their local places, and focuses on communities taking space on high streets and increasing their role in […]