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.

Read more about ASLS
Sign up to our newsletter
Donate

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 person stands with a hood over their head which is filled with smoke

ARTSPACE RESIDENCIES

Artspace Lifespace offer residencies across our four projects, Sparks Bristol, The Vestibules, Arts Mansion and The Island.

We are proud to support artists to develop new work. Applications for the 2025 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

See details of previous residencies

Full Details & How to Apply
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.

I Want To Know More

LATEST NEWS

  • 📷 Photography galore in our May newsletter 📷
    May is jam-packed across our buildings with indigenous dance, a Misfits Pageant, a Bloody Queen and a 2nd Birthday party! See all at; https://mailchi.mp/1d89e012d626/artspace-lifespace-may2025-newsletter-21065047
  • Artspace Lifespace April Newsletter
    🤡 The Artspace Lifespace April newsletter 🤡This month we have Movement Improvisation and Heathers The Musical workshops, On Being photography exhibition, and a Wonderful Water Festival.⁠https://mailchi.mp/14fc62444070/artspace-lifespace-april2025-newsletter-21064730 📷 Jacob Fowler performing in Heathers The Musical.
  • Dignitaries Visit Arts Mansion
    On February 28th 2025, Artspace Lifespace CEO Kathryn Chiswell Jones, Arts Mansion Venue Manager Jenna Graves and Bristol Parks Area Manager carried out a tour of Ashton Court Mansion for Sadik Al-Hassan, Labour MP for North Somerset, Ross Simmonds, Historic England, Regional Director South West, Councillor Tony Dyer Leader of Bristol City Council, Nick Hibberd, Bristol City Council Chief Executive […]
  • 🐇 Artspace Lifespace March Newsletter 🐇
    We’re taking part in Bristol Gallery Weekend, there’s a Riot Act and an Irish Takeover with live music and dancing at Arts Mansion in our March Newsletter.
  • Connections Through Culture
    We’re pleased to announce that Artspace Lifespace have been awarded a grant from the British Council Connections Through Culture (CTC) grant programme Auckland which supports eight New Zealand-UK collaborations. The CTC is a platform fostering vibrant collaborations between artists in the United Kingdom and Asia-Pacific. The programme supports 84 innovative projects, eight of which are […]